Drug Design, Development and Therapy

Sol Gel Based Hybrid Materials in Drug Delivery and Biotherapeutic Stabilization

The development of advanced drug delivery systems is essential for improving the efficacy and shelf-life of sensitive biomolecules, including proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. Among emerging technologies, sol gel-derived hybrid materials, particularly silica-based matrices, have gained prominence as versatile platforms for therapeutic stabilization and delivery. These materials offer mild synthesis conditions, tunable porosity, and excellent biocompatibility, allowing for the gentle encapsulation and sustained release of bioactive agents. The inorganic-organic hybrid nature imparts both structural integrity and customizable functionality, making sol gels highly adaptable for diverse pharmaceutical applications, from gene delivery to biologic preservation.

This area of research is vital, due to the inherent instability and degradation risks associated with many biologics, which can limit their therapeutic use. Sol gel materials create protective microenvironments that safeguard biomolecules while enabling site-specific and sustained delivery. Their design flexibility allows for the inclusion of targeting ligands and stimuli-responsive elements, advancing the frontiers of nanomedicine and personalized treatment. This collection highlights breakthroughs in sol gel technologies that translate to meaningful therapeutic improvements and clinical relevance.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, expert opinions, commentaries, and clinical studies aligned with the journal's scope. Topics may include sol gel synthesis and characterization, strategies for encapsulating biomolecules and small molecules, development of bioresponsive or targeted sol gels, and nanomedicine formulations. Manuscripts demonstrating translational outcomes such as in vitro and in vivo efficacy, safety profiles, and manufacturability are especially encouraged. This Collection aims to foster interdisciplinary contributions that integrate material science with drug design and therapeutic application.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, using the promo code CB47D to indicate that your manuscript will be considered for this Collection. We will be welcoming relevant papers up until the 31st of October 2026. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please contact Haoyang Yi (Commissioning Editor) at [email protected] with any queries regarding this Article Collection.

Guest advisor

Dr. Chinmay S. Potnis, Duke University

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Dr. Chinmay Potnis is a Postdoctoral Associate at Duke University with a strong background in formulation development, drug delivery, and organic synthesis. His current work focuses on designing and evaluating novel excipients to improve the stability and delivery of small-molecule drugs and nucleic acids. Through the use of silica-based sol-gels, he has developed innovative encapsulation strategies that enable controlled release and protection under stress conditions. With additional expertise in mechanistic organic synthesis, he bridges molecular design with advanced formulation approaches. He is passionate about creating scalable, real-world solutions for complex drug delivery challenges.

Dr. Gautam Gupta, University of Louisville

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Dr. Gautam Gupta is Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering. His research focuses on electrochemistry, sol gel encapsulation for biomolecules, wastewater treatment, and perovskite solar cells. Funding to support his research comes from a range of federal agencies and industrial sponsors, including NSF, NIH, DOE, EPRI and LG&E. Dr. Gupta has published extensively, has two patents, and has submitted another six research disclosures.

View all papers in this article collection