Towards controlling crystallization using liposomes: manipulation of liposome size through microfluidics

Crystallization plays an important role in defining the physico-chemical characteristics of pharmaceuticals. The ubiquity of crystal nucleation reactions - as well as the strong influence on product quality - emphasises the importance of understanding and controlling the process. Within this project, we are investigating the use of liposomes to control crystallization. Due to their nano-scale size and ability to facilitate well-controlled process conditions, liposomes present an excellent vehicle for crystallization studies. It has been shown that nanocrystalline precipitates of drugs such as doxorubicin, topotecan and idarubicin can be encapsulated inside liposomes for drug delivery purposes; however, the formation of these nano-crystals has never been extensively studied. In order to control the particle size of liposomes and to establish transmembrane gradients, we have used microfluidics.