Investigating the correlation of PLGA polymer nanocomposites mechanical properties to stability and time-dependent cargo release for one-dose vaccine development*

Nanomedicine, dependent upon delivery of therapeutic agents via nanocomposites, has proven effective in treating major diseases such as cancer and diabetes, and pathological processes including inflammation, vaccination, and microbial infection. The development of one-dose delivery of vaccines using nanomedicine is a particularly important focus. To enhance therapeutic efficacy of one-dose therapeutics, delivery systems must transport active agents to the target site in a stable and biocompatible manner at specific concentrations and be capable of time-specific cargo-release. We developed a tunable, stabilizer-free (poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanocomposite formulation capable of encapsulating plasmid DNA and exhibiting timed release via changes in composition. We are investigating structural and mechanical properties of the PLGA nanocomposites using Dynamic Light Scattering, Atomic Force Microscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy to better understand the nature of the time-release activity and to enable the ability to specifically "tune" desired time-release properties. Results and correlations of mechanical and structural properties of PLGA nanocomposites to functional response will be reported.