Bio Break: Understanding Shear Stress

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Bio Break: Understanding Shear Stress

Topic: Bio Break

Nick Allan and Joris van der Heijden dive into a critical concept in drug delivery and biopharmaceutical development: shear stress. Understanding shear stress, especially when dealing with delicate therapies like cell and gene treatments or mRNA vaccines, can have profound effects on drug viability and efficacy. Nick walks us through how shear stress is identified, measured, and mitigated during product design and development.

Starting with computational fluid dynamics (CFD), Nick explains how engineers use advanced simulations to predict problematic areas in fluid flow paths. These visual models highlight zones where shear stress is likely to occur, helping developers design around potential risks. However, Nick emphasizes the importance of understanding shear stress by validating simulations with real-world data, noting the adage, “garbage in, garbage out.”

The conversation then transitions to experimental testing, where Nick shares practical methods for quantifying the effects of shear stress on biological systems. For stem cell therapies, simple viability assays using microscopes or green fluorescent protein markers offer insight into cell health after exposure to shear. Similarly, mRNA vaccines housed in lipid nanoparticles are tested for structural integrity under shear conditions. Techniques like Zeta potential analysis and transfection assays help researchers determine whether shear has compromised the lipid nanoparticle or the mRNA payload, aiding in the understanding of shear’s impact.

Nick and Joris also discuss how shear stress impacts both functionality and structural integrity, particularly when delivering therapies through methods like cannulas, needles, or nebulizers. Testing and simulation, they conclude, must work hand in hand to ensure therapies remain effective and viable during real-world use, reinforcing the importance of understanding shear stress.

This Bio Break episode is a must-watch for anyone working in drug delivery, biopharma, or medical device engineering. Gain insights into the tools and strategies for identifying, measuring, and addressing shear stress in sensitive therapies.

Understanding Shear Stress

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Nick and Joris dive into the fascinating world of freeze-drying, exploring how this process extends shelf life and maintains the integrity of various products—including reagents used in in vitro diagnostics and even instant coffee!

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In this episode of Bio Break, Nick and Joris discuss the fascinating world of real-time imaging for targeted drug delivery. When delivering drugs to precise locations in the body, how do we ensure they reach the right spot? The answer lies in medical imaging technologies such as MRI, CT, and ultrasound, which play a crucial role in guiding complex drug delivery devices.

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Nick and Joris explore the fascinating world of repurposing existing medical device technologies for new market sectors. As engineers and innovators, we often focus on creating brand-new solutions, but what about leveraging tried-and-true technologies to expand into untapped markets? This strategy not only opens doors to new revenue streams but also maximizes the potential of existing innovations.

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In this episode of Bio Break, Nick Allan and Joris van der Heijden tackle the fascinating challenge of targeted drug delivery. When administering drugs to specific areas in the body, how can we be certain they reach the intended target? Nick shares an exciting example involving an intranasal device designed to deliver drugs precisely to the olfactory cleft—an area located between the eyes.