Bi-Botti "Celestin" Youan,
Pharm.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences
School of Pharmacy
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Research Interests:
Our laboratory
research interest can be categorized into two main areas: delivery and
targeting to the brain and development of noninvasive delivery systems for
bioactive macromolecules by pulmonary route. In the area of brain drug
delivery and targeting, the work in progress relates to intracerebral
delivery of anticonvulsants such as phenytoin loaded biocompatible
polymeric nano- and micro-particles. Novel delivery systems and
emerging pharmaceutical technologies (e.g. nano/micro-engineering) are
investigated for controlled drug delivery into the brain with potential
application to pharmacoresistant epilepsy
patients. The second major research area of interest is the
noninvasive delivery of bioactive macromolecules such as low molecular
weight heparin based on the bioengineering of biocompatible
microparticles with desirable
aerodynamic/general features for controlled release into the alveolar region
of the lung. Poor aerosol formulations and delivery systems are the
two limitations to improving drug bioavailability through the pulmonary
route. Improved particle engineering and various other approaches are
being investigated to improve pulmonary bioavailability of bioactive
macromolecules.
Research Objectives:
The long term research goal is focused on two primary areas:
1) Intracerebral Delivery of Anticonvulsants-Loaded Nano/Microparticles,
and 2) Heparin Containing Nano/Microparticles
for Pulmonary Delivery.
1) Intracerebral Delivery of Anticonvulsants-Loaded Nano/Microparticles
This research has been
supported by Epilepsy Research Foundation of America (New
Therapy Grant). For the first time phenytoin loaded
microparticles are engineered and
an implantable microdialysis probe is
used to deliver anticoagulant and to monitor drug level in the
brain in situ. The master formula will be tested for efficacy
and safety in kainate induced
seizure animal model.
2) Heparin Containing Nano/Microparticles
for Pulmonary Delivery
This is another major area of research currently being supported
by National Institutes of Health/National Institutes of General
Medical Sciences (NIH/NIGMS). The objective of this work is to
bioengineer (in a preclinical study) heparin loaded
biocompatible microparticles
for improved and controlled
anticoagulant therapy through the pulmonary route.
Teaching Interest:
Our teaching interest lies mainly in the
area of pharmaceutics, the science of dosage forms/drug delivery
systems in the undergraduate and graduate programs.
Specifically in the undergraduate program, we contribute to UMKC
Pharmacy 202 and Pharmacy 203 and other related elective
courses. The UMKC Pharmacy 202 course and laboratory
relates to the fundamental physicochemical principles basis
underlying dosage forms. The Pharmacy 203 course relates
to the dosage form’s composition, manufacturing, evaluation and
biopharmaceutical properties for all major routes of drug
administration. In the graduate program, our teaching
interest focuses on novel drug delivery systems design and
delivery issues by various routes.
Contact Information:
Bi-Botti "Celestin" Youan, Pharm.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences
School of Pharmacy
University of Missouri-Kansas City
2464 Charlotte Street, HSB 4240
Kansas City, MO 64108-2718
Office Phone: 816-235-2410
Fax: 816-235-5779
E-mail: youanb@umkc.edu
Web page: http://pharmacy.umkc.edu/