Sachin Kothawade

By Sachin Kothawade, Vaibhav Wagh, Vishal Pande and Amit Lunkad

The search for a cure for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been a persistent challenge in global health. While antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly improved the prognosis for individuals living with HIV, the need for lifelong treatment and the presence of viral reservoirs and drug resistance necessitate innovative approaches. Gene therapy has emerged as a promising avenue in HIV treatment, utilizing genetic modification to address the complexities of the virus. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of gene therapy approaches in HIV treatment. It explores the fundamental principles and techniques of gene therapy and highlights the specific challenges posed by HIV. Various gene therapy strategies, including gene editing technologies and gene transfer methods, are discussed in detail, along with their potential advantages and limitations. Safety, efficacy, and ethical considerations in gene therapy for HIV are also examined. The chapter concludes with a glimpse into the future of gene therapy in HIV treatment, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and continued research. This chapter aims to inspire further exploration and harnessing of gene therapy’s transformative potential in the quest for an HIV cure.

Part of the book: HIV Treatment

By Vishal Pande, Sachin Kothawade, Sharmila Kuskar, Sandesh Bole and Dinesh Chakole

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MSNs) are nano-sized particles with a porous structure that offers unique advantages for drug delivery systems. The chapter begins with an introduction to MSNs, providing a definition of these nanoparticles along with a brief historical overview. The distinctive properties of MSNs, such as high surface area, tunable pore size, and excellent biocompatibility, are discussed, highlighting their potential in drug delivery applications. The synthesis methods for MSNs are presented, including template-assisted synthesis, sol-gel method, co-condensation method, and other approaches. The chapter also covers the characterization techniques used for evaluating MSNs, including morphological, structural, and chemical characterization, which are crucial for assessing their quality and functionality. The surface modification of MSNs is explored, focusing on the functionalization of surface groups, attachment of targeting ligands, and surface charge modification to enhance their interactions with specific cells or tissues. The chapter then delves into the diverse applications of MSNs, with a particular focus on drug delivery. The use of MSNs in cancer theranostics, drug delivery, imaging, biosensing, and catalysis is discussed, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize these areas. Furthermore, the toxicity and biocompatibility of MSNs are addressed, covering both in vitro and in vivo studies that evaluate their safety and efficacy.

Part of the book: Nanofabrication Techniques

By Sachin Kothawade, Vishal Pande, Vaibhav Wagh, Kalyani Autade, Sandesh Bole, Rajashri Sumbe and Shubhangi Albhar

This chapter presents an overview of the perspective chapter on pharmaceutical drying within the context of drug manufacturing. It explores the significance of pharmaceutical drying in ensuring the stability and efficacy of drug products. The chapter begins by defining pharmaceutical drying and emphasizing its importance in the manufacturing process. Various methods of pharmaceutical drying, including air drying, vacuum drying, freeze-drying, and spray drying, are discussed, and a comparison between these methods is provided. Factors that influence pharmaceutical drying, such as physical and chemical properties of the product, drying temperature, drying time, pressure, humidity, and solvent properties, are examined. The chapter also highlights the challenges associated with pharmaceutical drying, including product stability and degradation, loss of potency, residual solvents, and the formation of amorphous or crystalline solids. Strategies to overcome these challenges, such as process optimization, the use of drying aids, control of drying parameters, and formulation considerations, are explored. Quality control measures in pharmaceutical drying, including the monitoring of residual moisture and solvent levels, characterization of dried products, and adherence to regulatory guidelines, are discussed.

Part of the book: Drying Science and Technology