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Laboratory Training in Electrospinning for Nanomedicine and Biomaterials

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

Laboratory Training in Electrospinning for Nanomedicine and Biomaterials is a hands-on skills development program designed for postgraduate students and early-career researchers in pharmacy, biomedical sciences, materials science, or related fields. The program introduces participants to the fundamentals and advanced applications of electrospinning for the design and development of nanofibrous drug delivery systems and scaffolds for tissue engineering. Participants will gain practical experience with polymer solution preparation, electrospinning setup, fibre characterization, and in vitro evaluations for biomedical use.

This immersive program will take place at WitikaLab, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), Pretoria, South Africa, under the mentorship of Dr. Bwalya Witika and collaborating scientists. Selected participants will develop mini-projects and receive mentoring for publication and postgraduate/postdoctoral research advancement.

Main Areas of Interest

Electrospun nanofibers for drug delivery (e.g., antiretrovirals, NSAIDs, plant-based actives)
Nanofibre scaffolds for wound healing, mucosal delivery, and regenerative medicine
Co-delivery and controlled release technologies
Biopolymer and stimuli-responsive materials
Computational pharmaceutics and QbD-based optimisation

Specialties

Drug Delivery

Biochemistry

Pharmaceuticals

Drug Development

Microbiology

Pharmacology

Techniques You Will Learn

Solution and emulsion electrospinning
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for fiber morphology
UV-Vis, HPLC-DAD for drug content and release profiling
FTIR, DSC, and XRD for polymer compatibility and crystallinity studies
Mechanical and mucoadhesion testing
Ex vivo permeation using Centrisart® tubes or Permegear
Surface area and porosity analysis

Curriculum

Week 1: Foundations of Electrospinning and Biomaterials

Introduction to electrospinning and its biomedical applications
Types of electrospinning: solution vs. emulsion electrospinning
Overview of polymers (synthetic vs. natural) used in drug delivery and scaffolds
Selection of solvents, actives, and polymer combinations
Preparation of spinning solutions: viscosity, conductivity, stability testing
FTIR screening for polymer-drug compatibility

Week 2: Electrospinning Process Development

Setting up electrospinning apparatus (needle-based systems)
Safety considerations, voltage and environmental control
Hands-on spinning: blank and drug-loaded fibres (solution and emulsion types)
Process parameter optimisation: voltage, flow rate, collector type/distance
Real-time observation and troubleshooting of jet formation and fibre deposition

Week 3: Morphological and Physicochemical Characterization

Sample preparation and sputter coating for SEM
SEM analysis of nanofibers: diameter, shape, bead formation
ImageJ-based fibre diameter quantification
Surface area and porosity measurements (if BET or equivalent available)
Thermal and crystallinity studies:
DSC: thermal transitions and compatibility
XRD: crystallinity index of fibres
FTIR: confirmation of structural integrity post-spinning

Week 4: Drug Release and Mechanical Performance

Drug loading efficiency (%EE) and content uniformity testing (UV-Vis or HPLC-DAD)
In vitro drug release testing:
Setup, sampling strategy, and sink condition maintenance
Graphing cumulative release
Interpretation of release models (zero-order, Higuchi, Korsmeyer-Peppas)
Mechanical testing of fibres: tensile strength and elongation
Mucoadhesion testing (for vaginal, buccal, or wound-contact formulations)

Week 5: Ex Vivo Permeation and Barrier Studies

Preparation of mucosal tissues (e.g., porcine vaginal or buccal mucosa)
Setup of Centrisart® tubes or PermeGear® Franz diffusion cells
Application of nanofiber samples and timed collection of permeate
Analytical quantification via UV/HPLC-DAD
Discussion of permeation enhancers and nanofiber-mucosa interactions
Data normalization: flux, permeation coefficient, lag time

Week 6: Data Analysis, Reporting, and Research Communication

Compilation of project data into mini-research report
Statistical analysis and visualization
Oral presentation of individual or group findings
Scientific writing for poster/paper preparation

Accommodation

Accommodation: Guesthouses or partner lodges (within 20 km of campus)

Visa Support: Invitation letters for international participants

Safety: Access to university health services and 24/7 campus security

Costs: To be covered by the participant unless otherwise stated (sponsorships may be available)

Fees and Program Logistics

This program has the following durations available:

Duration	Fee
3 weeks	$625.00
6 weeks	$1,000.00
12 weeks	$1,500.00

This program allows Merit Applications. This program allows merit-based applications for virtual and onsite clinical and research programs. If you are successfully awarded under this category, Trialect or the host mentor will cover the tuition fee only. All applications will be evaluated based on merit. Due to the high level of competition, the chances of being selected under the merit category are quite limited.

Who Can Apply

Educational Background

Currently enrolled in or completed a BSc Honours, MSc, MPharm, PharmD, MEng, or PhD in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Materials Science, or related fields.

Research Interest

Demonstrated interest in drug delivery, nanomedicine, biomaterials, or tissue engineering, preferably through coursework, laboratory projects, or published work.

Experience Level

Prior laboratory experience in formulation science, material characterisation, or polymer chemistry is advantageous but not mandatory. Basic lab safety training is expected.

Nationality

Applicants from all countries are welcome to apply.
Individuals from the Global South are strongly encouraged to apply as part of our commitment to inclusive scientific capacity-building

Availability

Must be available full-time for the entire duration of the program.

Language

Proficient in English (reading, writing, and speaking), as all training, reporting, and communication will be in English.

Documents Required at Application

Updated CV (2 pages max)
Academic transcript or degree certificate
Motivation letter (max 1 page)
Letter of recommendation (for current students)

Host Details

Host Name: Bwalya Witika

Affiliation: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

Address: GaRankuwa

Website URL:

Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.

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