Pioneering precision and scalability in nanomedicine through a novel swirl mixer for the treatment of breast cancer

This work introduces an innovative approach in improving cancer therapeutics, particularly for breast cancer, through the development of a novel microfluidic device. The research is divided into three distinct yet interconnected chapters, each focusing on innovative drug formulation and rapid production techniques using a newly designed swirl mixer. Chapter one delves into the optimisation of a novel swirl mixer for producing silk nanoparticles and liposomes. Chapter two explores the synthesis of dual-drug encapsulated silk nanoparticles with magnetic targeting capabilities, followed by a comprehensive physicochemical characterisation and trials on breast cancer models, both in vitro and in vivo. The final chapter expands the swirl mixer's application to encapsulate live oncolytic viruses within liposomes, which is further enhanced with folic acid to improve cellular uptake and targeting. This formulation then underwent rigorous characterisation and testing of the breast cancer models. The culmination of these three chapters and papers represents a significant step forward in the field of nanomedicine, especially from the perspective of nanoparticle synthesis. This innovative approach, centred on the development of a unique microfluidic device which holds tremendous promise for improving the effectiveness and precision of cancer treatments.