University navigation
Robert E. SIEVERS
Office Phone: 303 492 7943, 303 492 8083
E-mail: sievers@cires.colorado.edu
FAX: 303 492 1414
Lab: Ekeley M332
Lab Phone: 303
Group Website:
Ph.D.: University of Illinois, 1960
Analytical, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Chemistry
Professor Sievers is studying analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical science, aerosols, microparticles and nanoparticles, inhalable vaccines and antibiotics, and supercritical fluids.
Fundamental and applied studies of the formation of nanoparticle and microparticle aerosols are underway. Carbon dioxide-assisted nebulization provides superior aerosols for various forms of spectroscopy, such as electro-spray ionization, mass spectrometry and atomic absorption. Sievers' students are collaborating with pharmacists and physicians in the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, to develop new methods for delivery of aerosol particles useful in direct and painless administration of therapeutic drugs and vaccines by inhalation. The drugs are dissolved or suspended in supercritical fluids, and unusually small aerosol particles are formed by rapid decompression to facilitate delivery of the aerosol particles to the most distal alveoli and to allow rapid uptake by the lungs. Formation of fine aerosols is expected to become increasingly important in the treatment or vaccination against measles, HPV, influenza, infections, cystic fibrosis, and asthma.
The simultaneous stabilization, drying, and micronization of vaccines, antibodies, proteins, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals and other products of the biotechnology revolution are under study. Two of the fourteen “Grand Challenges” identified by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the NIH Foundation as critical to world health are being addressed by the Sievers group: needle-free administration of vaccines (by pulmonary or nasal aerosols), and vaccines that do not need refrigeration for long term storage. Collaborations with groups in India and South Africa have been developed.
Selected Publications
“Stabilizing Formulations for Inhalable Powders of Live-Attenuated Measles Virus Vaccine,” J.L. Burger, S.P. Cape, C.S. Braun, D.H. McAdams, J.A. Best, P. Bhagwat, P. Pathak, L.G. Rebits, R.E. Sievers, Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonaray Drug Delivery, 21:1, 25-34 (March 2008).
“Method for Quantifying the Sample Collected by an Andersen Cascade Impactor Using Total Organic Carbon Analysis,” LG. Rebits, D.J. Bennett, P.A. Bhagwat, A. Morin, R.E. Sievers, Journal of Aerosol Science 38, 1197-1206 (2008)
“Vaccines, Antibiotics and Anti-virals” R.E. Sievers, B.P. Quinn, S.P. Cape, J.A. Searles, C. S. Braun, P. Bhagwat, L.G. Rebits, D.H. McAdams, J.L. Burger, J.A. Best, L. Lindsay, M. T. Hernandez, K.O. Kisich, T. Iacovangelo, D. Kristensen, and D. Chen, Journal of Supercritical Fluids 42:3, 385-391 (2007).
“Supercritical Fluid-assisted Nebulization and Bubble Drying,” R.E. Sievers, S.P. Sellers, and J.F. Carpenter, Australian Patent 782916, Sept. 8, 2005.
“Synthesis of Composite Microparticles with a Mixing Cross, J.A. Villa, E.T.S. Huang, S.P. Cape, and R.E. Sievers, Aerosol Science and Technology, 39(6), 473-484 (2005).
“Fine Particle Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Using Dense Carbon Dioxide Mixed with Aqueous or Alcoholic Solutions,” E.T.S. Huang, H-Y Chang, C.D. Liang, and R.E. Sievers, ACS Symp. Ser. 860, 324-338 (2003).
“Micronization of Inhalable Drugs with Liquid Carbon Dioxide at Near Ambient Conditions,” R. Sievers, G. Clark, J. Villa, D. Alargov, L. Rinner, S. Cape, and E. Huang, Journal of Aerosol Medicine, 16, 213 (2003).
"Fine Particle Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Using Dense Carbon Dioxide Mixed with Aqueous or Alcoholic Solutions", E.T.S. Huang, H-Y Chang, C.D. Liang, and R.E. Sievers, ACS Symp. Ser. 860, 324-338 (2003).
"Micronization of Inhalable Drugs with Liquid Carbon Dioxide at Near Ambient Conditions", R. Sievers, G. Clark, J. Villa, D. Alargov, L. Rinner, S. Cape, and E. Huang, Journal of Aerosol Medicine, 16, 213 (2003).
home | undergraduate | graduate | research | people | facilities | news & events | courses