Title:  A Molecular Communication Framework for Modeling Targeted Drug Delivery Systems

Committee:

Dr. Ian Akyildiz, ECE, Chair , Advisor

Dr. Geoffrey Li, ECE

Dr. Raghupathy Sivakumar, ECE

Dr. Mary Ann Weitnauer, ECE

Dr. Massimiliano Pierobon, U of Nebraska Lincoln

Abstract: 

 

Molecular Communication (MC) is a new paradigm in communication research where the exchange of information is achieved through the propagation of molecules. The objective of the proposed research is to develop an analytical framework for the modeling, performance analysis, and optimization of Drug Delivery Systems (DDS’s) through the MC paradigm. The goal of a DDS is to provide a localized drug presence where the medication is needed, while, at the same time, preventing the drug from affecting other healthy parts of the body. Amongst others, the most advanced solutions use drugs composed of nano-sized particles for Particulate Drug Delivery Systems (PDDS) or antibody fragments for Antibody-mediated Drug Delivery Systems (ADDS).  In this work, first, a fundamental analytical model of the drug particle propagation through the cardiovascular system is presented, comprised of the blood velocity network, using transmission line theory, and the drug propagation network, using harmonic matrices theory. The outcomes of the analytical model are validated by comparing them with physiological measurements as well as comprehensive simulations of drug propagation in the cardiovascular system using COMSOL finite-element simulations and kinetic Monte-Carlo simulations. Second, the MC-PDDS pharmacokinetic model is developed by taking into account the biochemical interactions between the nanoparticles and the body. The performance and optimization of the MC-PDDS is studied through delay, path loss, noise, and capacity. Third, the MC-ADDS model is derived to capture the peculiarities of antibody-antigen transport and interactions. The effect of the shape and electrochemical structure of the ADDS molecules is reflected on the delay, path loss, and noise. The MC-DDS system modeling is shown to be a full-fledged framework for the design and optimization of targeted DDS and other biomedical engineering applications