(329f) Poloxamer-Based Formulations: Function through Molecular Self-Assembly and Directed Assembly

Amphiphilic polymers of the poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide) (PEO-PPO) family, commercially available as Pluronics or Poloxamers and approved for pharmaceutical use [Gu & Alexandridis, J. Pharm. Sci. 2004, 93 (6), 1454-1470; DOI: 10.1002/jps.20021], offer prime examples of self-assembling systems that find diverse applications. The presentation will utilize research findings from our group and others to highlight how the fundamental aspects of Poloxamer block copolymer micellization [Kaizu & Alexandridis, Colloids Surfaces A 2015, 480, 203-213; DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2014.10.061] and lyotropic liquid crystal formation and nanostructure [Sarkar et al., Macromol. Chem. Phys. 2012, 213 (23), 2514-2528; DOI: 10.1002/macp.201200438] in aqueous media, inform the formulation of Poloxamers applied to emulsions [Kaizu & Alexandridis, J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2016, 466, 138-149; DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2015.10.016], colloidal dispersions [Bodratti et al., J. Dispersion Sci. Tech. 2015, 36 (12), 1806-1815; DOI: 10.1080/01932691.2015.1011273], nanoparticle synthesis [Sakai et al., Colloids Surfaces A 2015, 487, 84-91; DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2015.09.058], and drug delivery [Zhang et al., Nature Commun. 2016, 7, DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11649].