Nikoletta Sargioti is a postgraduate researcher specialising in materials science; her research field is focussed on biomaterials. She completed her integrated master’s degree in the manufacture and optimisation of fixed dental prosthetic metal-ceramic restorations in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Ioannina, Greece in 2018. Her main research interests are in the area of metal and composite biomaterials.
Research Interests (Lay Summary)
Since she started her PhD with I-Form in 2019, Nikoletta has been working on the 3D printing of medical-grade metal-based microneedles (MNs) as a modular platform for minimally invasive therapeutic delivery. A transdermal patch of MNs is an alternative approach for the continuous delivery of insulin. MN arrays are devices comprised of micron-sized needles that allow for large drug molecule transfer across the outer layer of skin. Owing to their reduced height, they are considered painless and have potential as a minimally invasive device for therapeutic delivery.
Technical Summary
The MN array approach has been considered a viable method for macromolecule transport with fewer side effects. Additive manufacturing of MN arrays from medical-grade metals (specifically stainless steel) offers an innovative platform for MN array design optimisation and cost-effective manufacture.
The main focus of Nikoletta’s research is the design and development of 3D printed metal-based MN arrays, as well as the characterisation and optimisation of the 3D printing process. Also, the development of an additive spray-based method for MN array coating is an objective.