Silk-Based Biopolymer Drug Delivery Systems

Silk represents an excellent source of natural biomaterials, and silk-based biopolymers have been used in numerous drug delivery applications. Silk has a proven track record in biomedicine owing to its superior compatibility with the human body, its superb mechanical characteristics, and its controllable propensity to decay. Due to its robust biocompatibility and its less immunogenic, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and biodegradable properties, silk has been widely used in biological and biomedical fields, proving to be a more efficient manner for the treatment of various diseases.

This book presents a comprehensive review of silk-based biopolymer drug delivery systems, providing an introduction and going on to detail the chemistry, collection, characterization, functionalization, and numerous silk-based applications in the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare fields. It discusses its uses for oral drug delivery, for vaccine delivery systems, as natural mucoadhesive polymers for controlled drug delivery, for wound healing, etc.

Exploring the many promising applications of silk-based proteins in the field of drugs and gene delivery and biomedical applications, the book emphasizes recent advancements made by academicians, researchers, and industry and regulatory scientists. It provides methodologies for the design, development, and selection of silk-based proteins in drug delivery for therapeutic applications.

Vikas Pandey, PhD, is working as Associate Professor at the Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University, Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior, India. He has around 12 years of teaching and research experience. He has more than 30 publications on novel drug delivery systems, polymeric drug delivery, localized drug delivery, targeted and controlled drug delivery of nanocarriers and microparticulate system for treatment of various cancers (such as lung cancer, colon cancer, brain cancer and neurodegenerative disorders) in international and national reputed journals. He has also written 20 book chapters with international publishers. He has been granted one patent for his research. Dr. Pandey has a total citation of more than 750; h-index 16 and i10-index 22. The total cumulative impact factor for his published papers is more than 85. He is working on one research project funded by the Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology (MPCST). Dr. Pandey has qualified national level GATE exam twice (2007 and 2008). He is a reviewer for various reputed international journals. Currently, he is working on ligand-mediated drug delivery and nanoparticulate systems for the targeted and efficient drug delivery. He is a life member of the Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI) and Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA).

Neeraj Mishra, PhD, has been working as Professor at the Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Gwalior, India, since July 2019. He has 20 years of teaching and research experience. He was a brand ambassador at Bentham Science, USA, from 2018–19 and has also guided 30 MPharm students and one PhD student to date. He has more than 100 publications in journals of international and national repute on recent concepts of novel drug delivery systems, oral delivery of synbiotics, localized drug delivery, targeted and controlled drug delivery of nanocarriers/microparticles for the treatment of breast and colon cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. He has also written more than 15 books and 25 book chapters for Elsevier, Bentham, Springer, and John Wiley publications. Dr. Mishra has been granted three international patents and three Indian patents and was a recipient of an Indian Council of Medical Research Senior Research Fellowship and a Distinguished Professor Award in 2019 from the Indian Department of Science and Technology, National Science and Technology Management Information System, Synergizing Pharma Academic-Industry Collaboration Systems. Dr. Mishra has also received an Outstanding Scientist Award 2020 at the 6th International Scientist Awards on Engineering, Science, and Medicine; a Distinguished Professor Award 2021 from the Indian Pharmaceutical Association, MP State Branch, Indore; and a Best Academician Award from the Indian Pharmacy Graduate Association, M.P. State International Conference.

Vandana Soni, PhD, has been working as Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Dr. Harisingh Gour University Sagar Madhya Pradesh, India. She has a renowned teaching and research experience of 27 years and has published more than 90 publications on novel drug delivery systems; polymeric carrier systems; localized, targeted, and controlled drug delivery of nanocarriers and microparticulate system for treatment of various diseases (such as hypertrophic scars, cancers of brain, lung, colon, oral cavity, and neurodegenerative disorders) in international and national reputed journals. Her expertise spans the development of novel herbal cosmetic formulations for acne and wound healing as well. She has co-authored three books and several book chapters and has three patents (one granted and two filed). Dr. Soni has a total citation of more than 2500; h-index 27 and i10-index 48. She has mentored more than 50 MPharm dissertations and 15 PhD theses. She has handled many projects from government funding agencies, such as MPCST. She is a recipient of the prestigious APTI Women of the Year Award 2021 for her outstanding research work. She is a reviewer for several international journals. She is currently a member of the University Council of Industry Higher Education Collaboration and Executive Alumni Association of Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya University, India. She is a lifetime member of the Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI), Indian Pharmaceutical Association, Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA), Society of Pharmacognosy, M.P. Pharmacy Graduates Association, and American Chemical Society.