Profs. Hyungsoo Choi and Kevin Kim have developed a hydrogel nanoparticle carrier comprising gelatin covalently crosslinked with cyclodextrin, which has a longer drug release profile than other carriers.  The invented nano/micro carriers allows delivery of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents that have low aqueous solubility. These hydrophobic molecules are confined inside hydrophobic pockets, and are released as polymer matrix degrades.

 

This technology is used for delivering hydrophobic drugs in aqueous environments in the body.

 

This invention boasts a longer release profile and allows drugs to be released over a longer period of time due to additional crosslinking between gelatin and cyclodextrin.