Dr. Rebecca L. Carrier

Associate Professor

Ph.D. (Chemical Engineering)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2000

Contact
Phone: 617.373.7126
Email: r.carrier@neu.edu
Website: http://www.coe.neu.edu/~rebecca

Research Focus/Background

The overall theme of my research interests is the interaction between biological systems and materials, with specific applications in drug delivery and regenerative medicine. The two main goals of my research program are: 1. To enhance understanding of compound transport in biological systems, (e.g., drug transport through the body), and how it is influenced by exogenous and endogenous carrier systems (e.g., lipid micelles) and 2. To develop and study biomimetic biomaterials and cellular response to them. Quantitative, mechanistic understanding of compound transport in the body will enable rational design of drug delivery systems, streamlining the resource-intensive drug development process and enabling viable pharmaceutical products to be developed from promising drug candidates. It could also enhance understanding of physiological function (e.g., significance of biological barriers such as gastrointestinal mucus in normal and disease states). Precisely biomimetic biomaterials could enable meaningful cell culture models for research and scaffolds promoting tissue regeneration when combined with appropriate cells. Current specific research focus areas include the impact of lipids on oral compound absorption, mechanistic studies of mucus barriers to drug and drug carrier transport, and development of biomimetic biomaterials for intestinal and retinal tissue engineering.

Research Areas:

• Modeling of Drug Delivery
• Enhancement of Drug Solubility and Absorption
• Characterizing and Controlling Mucus Barrier Transport Properties
• Tissue Engineering of Intestine and Retina

Publications:

“Barrier properties of gastrointestinal mucus to nanoparticle transport.” J. Crater, R. L. Carrier, Macromol. Biosci., 10(12), 1473-1483, (2010).

“Biocompatibility of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposited poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) films for biomimetic replication of the intestinal basement membrane.” C. A. Pfluger, D. D. Burkey, L. Wang, B. Sun, K. S. Ziemer, R. L. Carrier, Biomacromolecules, 11, 1579–1584 (2010).

“Impact of emulsion-based drug delivery systems on intestinal permeability and drug release kinetics.” F. Buyukozturk, J. C. Benneyan, R. L. Carrier, J Controlled Release, 142(1), 22-30, (2010).

“Modeling the influence of cyclodextrins on oral absorption of low solubility drugs: 1. Model development.” D. E. Gamsiz, L. A. Miller, A. G. Thombre, I. Ahmed, and R. L. Carrier, Biotechnol and Bioeng, 105(2), 409-420, (2010).

“Predicting the effect of fed state intestinal contents on drug dissolution.” D. E. Gamsiz, M. Ashtikar, J. Crison, W. Woltosz, M. B. Bolger, R. L. Carrier, Pharm Res, 27(12), 2646-2656, (2010).

“Synergic effects of crypt-like topography and ECM proteins on intestinal cell behavior in collagen based membranes.” L. Wang, S. K. Murthy, G. A. Barabino, R. L. Carrier, Biomaterials, 31(29), 7586-7598 (2010).