Author Description

The purpose of this Ph. D project was to study the mechanism of pH- and glucose-responsiveness and properties of polymeric composite membranes containing pH-sensitive poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide-co-metharcylic acid) hydrogel nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery, and to develop a closed-loop glucose-responsive insulin delivery device using these pH-sensitive hydrogel nanoparticles. The internal pH kinetics and spatial distribution of the membranes were studied using a ratiometric fluorescence dye pH mapping methodology. Approaches to improving the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the stimuli-responsive membranes were explored. Finally, a closed-loop glucose-responsive insulin delivery device regulating insulin delivery in response to changes in glucose concentration was developed and tested under in vitro conditions in this thesis.