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Pharmaceutics
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Microfluidics-Driven Formulations: Exploring Liposomes and Emulsions for Drug Delivery
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Microfluidics-Driven Formulations: Exploring Liposomes and Emulsions for Drug Delivery

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Technology, Manufacturing and Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 2412

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Naresh Yandrapalli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
Interests: microfluidics; liposomes; emulsions technology; biophysics; synthetic cells
Prof. Dr. Maria Camilla Bergonzi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
Interests: natural products; drug delivery; liposomes; lipid nanocarriers; micro and nanoemulsions; nanoparticles; solubility; stability; bioefficacy; oral, brain and skin delivery; PAMPA test
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the transformative potential of microfluidics in drug delivery systems, emphasizing the development of liposomes and emulsions as versatile platforms. Microfluidics offers unparalleled control over designing innovative drug delivery systems while enabling precise size and compositional control. By integrating advanced materials and scalable fabrication techniques, microfluidics is paving the way for personalized medicine and the next generation of targeted therapies.

This Special Issue seeks contributions that delve into microfluidic technologies, spanning from design to production while tackling the challenges of developing robust formulations. Research focused on the application-specific design of liposomes and emulsion-based micro- and nano-carriers, presenting innovations in drug delivery, is particularly welcome. Submissions highlighting engineering advancements in simulation-driven optimization and device designs for scalable, high-throughput production are also encouraged.

Join us in showcasing the latest breakthroughs at the intersection of microfluidics, material science, and pharmaceutical innovations, paving the way for the next-generation of drug delivery solutions.

Dr. Naresh Yandrapalli
Prof. Dr. Maria Camilla Bergonzi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • microfluidics
  • drug delivery systems
  • liposomes
  • emulsions
  • synthetic cells
  • personalized medicine
  • multi-drug therapy
  • scalable manufacturing
  • micro-/nano-carriers
  • material science
  • pharmaceutical innovation
  • engineering solutions

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1636 KB  
Article
Liposomal CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Local Genome Editing for Joint Disease in Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I
by Hallana Souza Santos, Edina Poletto, Luisa Natalia Pimentel Vera, Mirian Farinon, Francyne Kubaski, Paola Barcelos Carneiro, Willian da Silva Carniel, Roberto Giugliani, Ursula Matte, Helder Ferreira Teixeira, Roselena Silvestri Schuh and Guilherme Baldo
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(3), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18030281 - 24 Feb 2026
Viewed by 417
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by α-L-iduronidase (IDUA) deficiency, leading to progressive glycosaminoglycan (GAG) accumulation and severe joint involvement. Gene editing represents a promising alternative to restore localized enzyme production. Therefore, this study aimed to [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by α-L-iduronidase (IDUA) deficiency, leading to progressive glycosaminoglycan (GAG) accumulation and severe joint involvement. Gene editing represents a promising alternative to restore localized enzyme production. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of in situ genome editing through intra-articular administration of a nonviral CRISPR/Cas9 system to increase localized IDUA expression in an MPS I mouse model. Methods: Cationic liposomes were formulated to deliver plasmids encoding the CRISPR/Cas9 system targeted to the ROSA26 locus along with an IDUA donor sequence. In vitro assays were performed in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) isolated from MPS I mice to assess cytotoxicity, gene editing efficiency, and IDUA activity. In vivo, MPS I mice received intra-articular injections in the knee joints, either as a single dose (short-term study) or monthly for three months (long-term study). IDUA activity, GAG levels, and genome editing efficiency were evaluated in joint tissues, synovial fluid, serum, and major organs. Results: Gene-edited FLS showed sustained IDUA activity for up to 30 days with low cytotoxicity. In vivo, intra-articular administration resulted in a significant increase in IDUA activity in joint tissue and synovial fluid without detectable systemic IDUA. Long-term treatment led to persistent joint-localized IDUA activity, significant reductions (>50%) in GAG levels, and detectable genome editing in joint DNA. Conclusions: Intra-articular delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 via cationic liposomes enables safe and effective localized genome editing, representing a promising strategy for treating joint manifestations of MPS I. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microfluidics-Driven Formulations: Exploring Liposomes and Emulsions for Drug Delivery)
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23 pages, 2805 KB  
Article
Microfluidic Design of Ultradeformable Liposomes for Advanced Skin Delivery of Stellaria media Phytocomplex
by Luigi Ciriolo, Nicola d’Avanzo, Antonia Mancuso, Maria Chiara Cristiano, Antonella Barone, Rosario Mare, Anna Maria Tolomeo, Alexandra I. Comaniciu, Georgiana Nitulescu, Octavian Tudorel Olaru, Felisa Cilurzo, Donatella Paolino and Massimo Fresta
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(11), 1390; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17111390 - 27 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1459
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Ultradeformable liposomes represent an established platform for topical delivery of antioxidant compounds, thanks to their structural flexibility and ability to enhance skin permeation, but standardized manufacturing protocols are still lacking. This study presents a microfluidic-based strategy for the scalable production of ultradeformable [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Ultradeformable liposomes represent an established platform for topical delivery of antioxidant compounds, thanks to their structural flexibility and ability to enhance skin permeation, but standardized manufacturing protocols are still lacking. This study presents a microfluidic-based strategy for the scalable production of ultradeformable liposomes encapsulating Stellaria media extract, a polyphenol-rich phytocomplex with strong antioxidant activity. Methods: Liposomes were produced with a GMP-like microfluidic platform enabling fine control of formulation parameters and high reproducibility under conditions directly transferable to continuous manufacturing. Process optimization tested different total flow rates. Characterization included particle size and distribution, encapsulation efficiency, colloidal stability and kinetics of release. Permeation was assessed with Franz diffusion cells using human stratum corneum and epidermidis membranes. Results: Optimal conditions were a flow rate ratio of 3:1 and a total flow rate of 7 mL/min, yielding ultradeformable liposomes with a mean size of 89 ± 1 nm, a polydispersity index < 0.25, and high encapsulation efficiency (72%). The resulting formulation showed long-term colloidal stability and controlled release. Diffusion studies demonstrated a 2-fold increase in permeation rate compared to the free extract. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of microfluidics as a robust and scalable technology for the industrial production of ultradeformable liposomes designed to enhance the dermal delivery of bioactive phytocomplex for both pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microfluidics-Driven Formulations: Exploring Liposomes and Emulsions for Drug Delivery)
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