ABSTRACT

Mucus lining epithelial surfaces throughout the body poses a critical

barrier to the transport of nanoparticle (NP) drug and gene carriers.

Quantitative studies of the barrier properties of physiological mucus

secretions are important in the development of new strategies for

targeting the mucosal epithelium. This chapter summarizes the

physiochemical properties of the mucus barrier, techniques used to

characterize particle transport in mucus, and recent advancements

in this field.