Optimization of the electrospinning process parameters for a pandemic vaccine patch

A skin patch composed of an electrospun nanofibrous membrane of a highly hygroscopic polymer, encasing a reversibly packaged antigen and adjuvant cocktail, promises a practical alternative to the current vaccine strategy. The proposed system would utilize the high density of antigen presenting (APC) cells found within the layers of human skin to elicit a vast adaptive immune response. The amount of contact between patches and skin has been said to directly affect the efficiency of load delivery. Incorporation of the immunogens often requires use of aqueous solvents associated with the beads-on-the-string morphology formation, which hinders the high surface area to volume ratio afforded by the electrospun membranes. The long-term goal of this research is to optimize the solution and process parameters to maximize the surface interaction with the skin for improved delivery of immunogens. In this study we attempt to utilize a novel method of morphology control through employment of the electrospinning process pausation. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination indicated that stopping the electrospinning process at different intervals and for various durations impacts the generated morphology. The findings indicate that the surface area to volume ratio for the three-dimensional nonwoven membrane can be maximized through utility of process pausing.