A major focus of Professor Langer's research is the study and development of polymers to deliver drugs, particularly genetically engineered proteins and DNA, continuously at controlled rates for prolonged periods of time. Work is in progress in the following areas:
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Investigating the mechanism of release from polymeric delivery systems with concomitant microstructural analysis and mathematical modeling.
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Studying applications of these systems including the development of effective long-term delivery systems for insulin, anti-cancer drugs, growth factors, gene therapy agents and vaccines.
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Developing controlled release systems that can be magnetically, ultrasonically, or enzymatically triggered to increase release rates.
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Synthesizing new biodegradable polymeric delivery systems which will ultimately be absorbed by the body.
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Creating new approaches for delivering drugs such as proteins and genes across complex barriers in the body such as the blood-brain barrier, the intestine, the lung and the skin.
