Abstract
The stinging cells of cnidarians contain nematocysts, which are a sophisticated ultra-fast injection system that can penetrate the skin immediately. This chapter will review two nematocyst-based biotechnology applications. The first hinders nematocyst discharge and thereby prevents jellyfish envenomation. The development of the inhibitory formulation and the demonstration of its effectiveness by clinical trials will be described. The second application utilizes isolated nematocysts as micro-devices for active drug delivery. The advantages of this novel approach will be demonstrated by the results of in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetics studies.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Cnidaria, past, present and Future |
| Subtitle of host publication | The World of Medusa and her Sisters |
| Publisher | Springer International Publishing |
| Pages | 683-690 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9783319313054 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9783319313030 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 2016 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016.
Keywords
- Active transdermal drug delivery
- Jellyfish envenomation
- Micro drug device
- Nematocyst discharge
- Sting inhibition
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
- General Environmental Science
- General Earth and Planetary Sciences