RECENT ADVANCES IN MICROFLUIDICS FOR THE PREPARATION OF DRUG AND GENE DELIVERY SYSTEMS

Abstract

Microfluidic technology has emerged as a transformative platform in pharmaceutical sciences for the preparation of advanced drug and gene delivery systems. Conventional nanoparticle fabrication methods frequently encounter limitations such as poor reproducibility, broad particle-size distribution, low encapsulation efficiency, batch-to-batch variation, and inadequate control over physicochemical properties. Microfluidic systems overcome many of these challenges by enabling precise manipulation of microscale fluid dynamics, rapid mixing, controlled nanoprecipitation, and highly reproducible formulation conditions. Recent advances in microfluidic technologies have significantly accelerated the development of lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, nanoemulsions, micelles, and nucleic acid delivery systems intended for targeted and personalized therapeutics. Microfluidics-based fabrication techniques provide enhanced control over particle morphology, size distribution, surface characteristics, drug loading, and release kinetics. These systems are particularly valuable in the preparation of gene delivery vehicles including messenger RNA, plasmid DNA, siRNA, and CRISPR-associated delivery platforms. The growing success of mRNA vaccines and nanomedicine has further intensified scientific interest in scalable microfluidic manufacturing systems for pharmaceutical applications. Advances in lab-on-a-chip technologies, artificial intelligence-assisted process optimization, continuous-flow synthesis, and automated pharmaceutical engineering have expanded the clinical and industrial relevance of microfluidic systems. Pharmacists contribute significantly through formulation optimization, medication safety monitoring, therapeutic evaluation, patient counseling, quality assurance, and translational pharmaceutical research. Despite promising progress, important challenges remain regarding industrial scalability, device standardization, manufacturing costs, regulatory approval pathways, and large-scale commercialization. This manuscript discusses recent developments in microfluidic technologies for drug and gene delivery systems, including fabrication techniques, pharmaceutical applications, physicochemical advantages, clinical relevance, pharmacist interventions, regulatory considerations, emerging opportunities, and future perspectives within precision medicine and nanotherapeutic development.