Overview: Our Laboratory of Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, Bionanotechnology and Molecular Recognition has been the leading group and pacesetter in the field of drug delivery and controlled release, a field that has been developed into a mature area of scholarly and applied research. In addition we have had extensive contributions in biomaterials and bionanotechnology, and have contributed seminal work in the field of feedback controlled biomedical devices. The multidisciplinary approach of this research in bionanotechnology and biomolecular engineering blends modern molecular and cellular biology with engineering to generate next-generation systems and devices, including bioMEMS with enhanced applicability, reliability, functionality, and longevity. Our contributions have been translated into more than twenty medical products with multibillion dollar markets.

Fundamentals of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Transport Systems: The fundamentals and rational design of drug delivery systems and biomaterials have been set by our group over the past 35 years. In its very early days, drug delivery was an empirical field where the selection of components for successful formulations was based on a heuristic approach. Peppas and collaborators were the first to set the theories and equations that led to the design of a wide range of new systems. For example, using biomedical engineering principles and new biomedical transport theories, they developed the equations that describe Fickian and non-Fickian diffusion in controlled release devices. The “Peppas equation” has become the standard method of analysis of any pharmaceutical device. Using the modeling similarities of phase erosion and state erosion, they developed a unified models for all drug delivery systems. Similarly, they developed the theoretical framework for the analysis of transport through crosslinked biomaterials (the Peppas-Reinhart theory), ionic hydrogels (the Brannon-Peppas theory), and gel-tissue interactions via tethers (the Huang-Peppas theory and the Sahlin-Peppas equation). For the impact of these theories and analyses, Dr. Peppas has been recognized as the most cited and highly published author in drug delivery, biomaterials and drug delivery, and intelligent materials ( Web of Science ® 2011). He has also ranked as one of the most cited scientists with 36,300 citations (21,000 in the last five years) and an H-index of 93 (link).

Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Devices: Applications of these theories have had significant impact in the development of new biomedical systems and devices. Peppas and his students originated the novel muco- and bioadhesive systems that interact molecularly with the mucus and tissue and have been able to prolong bioavailability of proteins and peptides in the blood. As a result of his work, a number of biomedical polymers and commercial delivery devices have been launched. For example, our group was the first to develop novel toxic-free poly(vinyl alcohol) gels by the freezing-thawing technique in 1975. These gels became very successful articular cartilage replacement systems. In 1978, the group developed the same systems for in situ replacement of vocal cords, a successful medical procedure that remained in practice until the late 1990s and assisted about 45,000 patients.

Intelligent Hydrogels: This laboratory group pioneered (1979) the use of hydrogels in drug delivery applications, including epidermal bioadhesive systems and systems for the release of theophylline, proxyphylline, diltiazem, and oxprenolol. Perhaps the most important development of our labs has been the new technologies of oral delivery systems for insulin and other proteins. These devices release insulin orally, “protecting” the insulin throughout its transport in the stomach, upper small intestine, and, eventually, blood, and bypassing diabetics’ need for several daily injections. Dr. Peppas’ group has shown that these new systems exhibit very high bioavailability. This is the first time that an oral system has been shown to be effective for oral delivery of proteins, especially insulin. In fact, the same technology has been used for the transmucosal (oral, buccal) delivery of calcitonin (for treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women) and interferon-alpha (for cancer therapy), and is presently investigated for interferon-beta release for multiple sclerotic patients. In tests on over 1500 rats and dogs that were given capsules containing microspheres of this new biomaterial carrier, high bioavailability was determined.

Intelligent, Feedback Control-Based Systems: Dr. Peppas was one of the pioneers of intelligent biomaterials, and medical devices. Using intelligent polymers as early as 1980, the Peppas group were the first to use such pH-sensitive and temperature-sensitive systems for modulated release of streptokinase and other fibrinolytic enzymes. In the 1990s and in this century, Dr. Peppas became the main proponent of the use of intelligent systems in the medical field. Physiologically-controlled and disease-responsive, feedback control-based devices require the operation/function of electrical and mechanical parts as a result of on-line measurement of physiological variables of the body, blood or other biological fluids. Peppas utilized the basics of biomedical transport phenomena, control theory, and kinetic behavior to design novel devices and to optimize their behavior in the body or in contact with the body. Adjustment of appropriate components of these devices was based on simple or sophisticated control or other physiological based models. To this end, Dr. Peppas and his group have investigated the biocompatibility of all components of these devices and have provided knowledge of cellular response mechanisms that may be related to changes in immunological status, physical tissue damage. Research in physiologically-responsive devices has sought to show how it is possible to use classical and biomedical engineering principles, mathematics, transport phenomena and control theory to design devices and artificial organs, often based on "intelligent materials," which are responsive to changes in the surrounding environment. Dr. Peppas developed feedback control devices, such as glucose-sensitive microsensors that can respond to abnormal glucose levels by releasing incorporated insulin to the blood at desired rates. Such feedback control systems could be perfected for use in treatment of diabetes. In addition, he developed temperature-sensitive devices that can be used for treatment of malaria by release of antipyretics. A natural consequence of this work was his founding of Mimetic Solutions, a company that commercializes these devices and is in the forefront of intelligent device and bioMEMs development.

Celebration of the Founding of AICHE 100 Years Ago with article in the chemical heritage foundation magazine by Nicholas Peppas (Fall 2008) (click here)

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Past PhD Students and Postdoctoral Fellows

* Asterisk indicates former post docs

The latest publications of the laboratory

1. Sant S, Tao S L, Fisher O Z, Xu Q, Peppas N A, Khademhosseini A, Microfabrication technologies for oral drug delivery. Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev., doi:10.1016/j.addr.2011.11.013 (link).

2. Kryscio D R; Peppas N A, Critical review and perspective of macromolecularly imprinted polymers. Acta Biomaterialia, doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2011.11.005 (link).

3. Ekenseair A K; Peppas N A, Network structure and methanol transport dynamics in poly(methyl methacrylate).   AIChE J, doi: 10.1002/aic.12784 (link).

4. Echeverria C; Peppas N A and Mijangos C, Novel strategy for the determination of UCST-like microgels network structure: effect on swelling behavior and rheology. Soft Matter, doi: 10.1039/C1SM06489D (link).

5. Liechty W L and Peppas N A, Expert opinion: Responsive polymer nanoparticles in cancer therapy. Europ J Pharmac Biopharm, doi:10.1016/j.ejpb.2011.08.004 (link).

6. Kryscio D R; Shi Y; Ren P; and Peppas N A, Molecular docking simulations for macromolecularly imprinted polymers. Ind Eng. Chem Res, doi: 10.1021/ie201858n (link).

7. Schoener C A; Hutson H N; Fletcher G K; Peppas N A, Amphiphilic Interpenetrating Networks for the Delivery of Hydrophobic, Low Molecular Weight Therapeutic Agents.  Ind Eng Chem Res, 50 12556–12561 (2011) (link).

8. Siepmann J; Peppas N A,   In honor of Takeru Higuchi,  Int J Pharm, 418 1-2 (2011) (link). 

9. Liechty, W B; Caldorera-Moore, M ; Phillips, M A; Schoener, C; Peppas, N A. Advanced molecular design of biopolymers for transmucosal and intracellular delivery of chemotherapeutic agents and biological therapeutics.  J Controlled Release ,155 119-27    (2011) (link).

10. Caldorera-Moore, M E; Liechty, W B; Peppas, N A, Responsive theranostic systems: integration of diagnostic imaging agents and responsive controlled release drug delivery carriers.  Accounts Chem Res  44  1061-70 (2011) (link).

11. Lao L. Lisa; Peppas N A; Boey F Y C; et al., Modeling of drug release from bulk-degrading polymers.  Intern J Pharmac  418 28-41 (2011) (link).

12. Ekenseair A; Peppas N A, Tuning the dynamics of penetrant transport in glassy polymers through network structure modification, Bull. Amer. Phys. Soc., 56 (1) BAPS. 2011. MAR.X42.2 (2011) (link).

13. Siepmann J; Peppas N A, Higuchi equation: derivation, applications, use and misuse.   Intern J Pharmac 418   6-12 (2011) (link).

14. VanBlarcom D S; Peppas N A, Microcantilever sensing arrays from biodegradable, pH-responsive hydrogels  Biomed Microdevices  13  829-836 (2011) (link).

15. Bayer C L; Herrero Perez E; Peppas N A, Alginate Films as Macromolecular Imprinted Matrices.    J Biomater Sci, Polym Ed  22  1523-1534  (2011)  (link).

16. Khurshid S S; Schmidt C E; Peppas N A,   Optimization of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers of Serotonin for Biomaterial Applications. J Biomater Sci, Polym Ed   22  343-362  (2011) (link). 

17. Carr D A; Gomez-Burgaz M; Boudes M C; Peppas N A, Complexation Hydrogels for the Oral Delivery of Growth Hormone and Salmon Calcitonin.  Ind Engn Chem Res  49   11991-11995   (2010) (link). 

18. Liechty W B;  Kryscio D R; Slaughter B V and Peppas N A, Polymers for Dug Delivery Systems   Ann Revs Chem Biomol Engn 1  149-173 (2010) (link).

19. Peppas N A; Slaughter B V and Kanzelberger M A, Hydrogels,  in Comprehensive Polymer Science,  R. Langer and D. Tirrell, eds, Vol. 9, Elsevier, DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-08-087862, published on line.

Professor Peppas presented the UNC/Eisai Distinguished Lecture in Drug Delivery  titled " Intelligent Biomaterials for Protein Delivery, Molecular Imprinting and Recognitive Medical Devices" at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy and the Department of Biomedical Engineering of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC, on November 14, 2011 (link).

Professor Nicholas A. Peppas has been selected as the recipient of the 2011 Excellence in Surface Science Award  of the Surface in Biomaterials Foundation. The Surfaces in Biomaterials Foundation is dedicated to exploring creative solutions to technical challenges at the BioInterface by fostering education and multidisciplinary cooperation among industrial, academic, clinical and regulatory communities (link). Each year the Surfaces in Biomaterials Foundation bestows an award to a key figure in the biomaterials field who has shown considerable contribution in the Surface Science field with emphasis on medical materials and biomaterials. Dr. Peppas received the award at the 2011 Biointerface Meeting in Minneapolis on October 24, 2011, where he will present a plenary award lecture.

Prof. Juergen Siepmann of the University of Lille France and Professor Peppas have edited a special issue of the International Journal of Pharmaceutics that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the publication of Professor Higuchi’s famous equation (link). This seminal contribution by Takeru Higuchi has guided pharmaceutical formulation design for 50 years. This new IJP volume has just appeared this month. 

An article by Don Owens (PhD’ 07) and Nicholas Peppas on Opsonization, Biodistribution, and Pharmacokinetics of polymeric nanoparticles is the most cited paper in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics in the past five years (link).  

Professor Nicholas Peppas gave one of the three Centennial Lectures (link) in the Centennial celebrations of the School of Chemical Engineering of Purdue University on October 7, 2011. In addition, Peppas and his former colleague Phillip C. Wankat are the authors of the second edition of the History of the School which was published in October (link). Peppas was a professor at Purdue from September 1976 till December 2002.

Professor Peppas presented an invited lecture titled "Nanotechnology and Bioengineering in an Evolving Chemical Engineering World: The Next Generation of Recognitive, Intelligent Medical Microdevices" at the Chemical Engineering Department of ETH, Zurich on September 26, 2011 (link).

Nicholas A. Peppas has been elected to the 2011 class of Fellows of the American Chemical Society (ACS). This is the third class of ACS Fellows and it represents about 200 leading researchers in chemical sciences. The ACS Fellows Program was created in 2008 to recognize members of ACS for outstanding achievements in and contributions to science, the profession, and society. Induction took place at the Annual ACS meeting in Denver, CO on August 29.

The 2009 contribution on Micro- and nanotechnologies for intelligent and responsive biomaterial-based medical systems  (Adv Drug Del Revs, 61, 1391, 2009) by Mary Caldorera-Moore and Nicholas Peppas is the most cited work published in the last two years in the  field of intelligent medical systems

The 2003 contribution on Advances in biomaterials, drug delivery, and bionanotechnology (AIChE Journal, 49, 2990, 2003) by Robert Langer and Nicholas Peppas is the most cited work published in the AIChE Journal in the last ten years with 275 citations.

William Liechty received the Excellence in Graduate Research award at the Graduate School/University Co-op Awards for Excellence in Graduate Education on May 18, 2011. The award includes a cash prize of $2000. Bill was recognized for the “Development of Dual-Responsive Nanoscale Hydrogels for Oral Delivery of Small Interfering RNA”. Bill is a NSF Fellow and was the UT representative to the Lindau Nobel Laureates meeting in Lindau, Germany in June. He is the second chemical engineer in a row to receive this prestigious award, David Kryscio having been last year’s recipient.

William Liechty was the winner of the first prize for best paper in the Second Biomaterials Day competition at Texas A&M on May 16, 2011.

An article on drug delivery authored by William B. Liechty, David R. Kryscio, Brandon V. Slaughter (all three NSF Fellows), and Nicholas A. Peppas is the most downloaded paper in the history of Annual Reviews of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (link).

William B. Liechty has been selected to attend the Lindau Meeting of Nobel Laureates as a UT representative. In this meeting Nobel Laureates in chemistry, physics, and physiology/medicine convene annually to have open and informal meetings with students and young researchers. At the meeting, that was held June 26-July 1, 2011, the laureates lectured on the topic of their choice in the mornings and participated in less formal, small-group discussions with the students in the afternoons and some evenings.

Dr. Peppas gave a plenary lecture on “Advanced siRNA and protein delivery through smart hydrogels” at the Turkish Chapter of the Controlled Release Society in Istanbul, Turkey on June 2, 2011.

Dr. Peppas presented the Kurt Wohl Lecture at the University of Delaware on April 29 (link).

Nicholas Peppas gave an invited talk on Responsive Biomaterials and Feedback-Controlled Medical Devices for Protein Delivery, Molecular Imprinting and Microfabricated Systems at the National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials in Chengdu, China, on April 2 (link).

Katie Maass, a senior chemical engineer and research assistant in the Peppas Lab for 2 years, was awarded a 5-year $250,000 Hertz Foundation Fellowship for graduate research. This will allow her to pursue PhD studies at MIT (link).

Dr. Peppas presented the Alkis Payatakes Memorial Lecture at the University of Houston on March 4 (link).

Dr. Peppas presented the Basore Distinguished Lecture at Auburn University on February 23 (link).

Nicholas Peppas gave an invited talk on New frontiers in drug delivery: emerging applications in oral administration at the Fifteenth International Symposium on Recent Advances in Drug Delivery Systems in Salt Lake City, Utah, on February 16 (link).

Dr. Peppas presented the Eugene W. Skinner and Eugene P. Lautenschlager Memorial Lecture  at Northwestern University on February 10 (link).

Professor Peppas gave the Plenary Lecture of the 10th Congress of the Sociedad Española de Farmacia Industrial y Galénica in Madrid, Spain on February 3 (link). He talked about Advances in Protein Delivery and Responsive Nanoscale Drug Delivery Systems.

Nicholas Peppas was elected President of the Biomedical Engineering Council of Chairs (link).

The group of Prof. Nicholas Peppas was ranked second world-wide and first American in the number of citations of work in the fields of Pharmacology and Toxicology (including Drug Delivery), cited between January 2000 and August 2010. They had been cited 3,372 times for their work in these specific subfields. The data on high-impact researchers in pharmacology and toxicology were extracted from the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) database of Thomson Reuters®. In the current version of ESI, approximately 294,900 author records were surveyed to obtain these results. The group had also 5 top papers published over the period. Highly cited papers rank in the top 1% by total citations in their field when compared with papers published the same period.

Nicholas A Peppas was the recipient of the 2010 BMES Distinguished Achievement Lecture Award. The BMES Distinguished Achievement Award is presented each year to a company, charitable foundation, nonacademic institution or individual who has made great contributions to the field of biomedical engineering. The recipient is expected to deliver a plenary lecture at the BMES Annual Meeting in the fall and to publish the text of the lecture in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering. An important purpose of the lecture is to offer a vision of the challenges and opportunities in biomedical engineering. Peppas delivered his plenary lecture at the 2010 Biomedical Engineering Society’s Annual Meeting in Austin, on October 7, 2010. (link)

Nicholas Peppas was the recipient of the 2010 Acta Biomaterialia Gold Medal Award, one of the most prestigious awards in biomaterials science recognizing “excellence in research and development”. The criteria indicate “... the awardee should be an undisputed world leader in the field of biomaterials, whose accomplishments in discovery and translation to practice are surpassing and known to all in the field”. The award consists of a gold medal, plaque and a cash honorarium. This award was presented at the 2010 Biomedical Engineering Society’s Annual Meeting in Austin, on October 6, 2010. (link)

Nicholas Peppas is this year’s recipient of the C. William Hall Award from the Society for Biomaterials. This award honors members of the Society For Biomaterials who have made a significant contribution to the Society and have an outstanding record in establishing, developing, maintaining and promoting the objectives and goals of the Society For Biomaterials. Peppas was previously honored with the Society’s Clemson Award for Basic Research (1992) and with its highest research recognition, the Founder’s Award (2005). He received the C. William Hall award at the 2010 Annual SFB Meeting in Seattle, April 21-24.

Professor Nicholas Peppas is the recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Scientist Award from the Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA).(link) He is cited for pioneering contributions to biomedical engineering, biomaterials, polymer sciences and drug delivery. The award was presented to him at the SURA Board of Trustees meeting at Duke University on March 10, 2010 and included a $20,000 honorarium. More information about the award can be found here. (link)

Professor Nicholas Peppas received the 2010 Maurice Marie Janot Award. This award is the highest European recognition in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. It was established in 1986 by the European Pharmaceutical Society APGI and it is sponsored by Aventis Pharma. The award recognizes an international researcher for the quality, innovation and pioneering impact of his/her research work in pharmaceutical sciences over a ten year period. The award was given on the occasion of the International APGI Congress in Malta in March 2010. At the opening session of the Malta meeting Professor Peppas gave the Janot lecture (link). Previous winners (link).