9410387 Mathiowitz The research proposed in this application is concerned with the development of a new magnetic method to study bioadhesion between individual polymeric microspheres and living segments of gastrointestinal tissue, in vitro. The adhesion forces will be measured by quantifying the magnetic force required to hold an iron-loaded microsphere stationary, while the adherent tissue is separated at a constant rate. X-ray imaging of animals, which have been fed microspheres loaded with radio-opaque materials, will be used to determine the location and duration of contact of the microspheres with target structures, in vivo. A focus of the project will be to correlate adhesive forces determined in vitro with GI residence time in vivo. In addition, the use of bioadhesive microspheres to improve drug delivery to ulcerated GI tissue will be evaluated. ***
