Deep learning in the segmentation of time-resolved micro-tomography images of disintegrating pharmaceutical compacts

Are you interested in dealing with vast amounts of scientific image data? This project involves image processing and analysis on a big scale using deep learning, as well as confirming the findings experimentally.

Optimization of lipid nanoparticles production using a microfluidic mixing device

In the recent of years, the use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for RNA delivery has gained considerable attention, with a large number in the clinical pipeline as vaccine candidates or to treat a wide range of diseases. Microfluidics offers considerable advantages for their manufacture due to its scalability, reproducibility and fast preparation. In this study, we want to evaluate operating and formulation parameters to be considered when developing LNPs.

Rational development of lipid-based gene delivery systems

Lipid nanoparticle systems consist of four lipid components (ionizable cationic lipid, distearolyphosphatidycholine or DSPC, cholesterol, and PEG-lipid) and DNA. The ionizable cationic lipids have been optimised for nucleic acid encapsulation and intracellular delivery, and the PEG-lipids have been engineered to regulate LNP size and circulation. The roles of other "helper" lipids remain less clear. In this study, we want to formulate DNA-LNPs using varying helper lipids to assess their impact on different intracellular processes (e.g. cellular uptake).

Comparison of non-viral gene delivery formulations for their endosomolytical capacity

Ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are the most clinically advanced nano-sized delivery system for therapeutic nucleic acids. The great effort put in the development of ionizable lipids with increased in vivo potency brought LNPs from the laboratory benches to the FDA approval of patisiran in 2018 and the ongoing clinical trials for mRNA-based vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Despite success stories of patisiran and the mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, several challenges remain in nucleic acid delivery, including what is known as "endosomal escape". In this study, we want to investigate the endosomal escape for different non-viral gene delivery formulations.

Jens Casper

Claudia Lotter

Optimierung einer pflanzlichen sprühbaren Emulsion zur Wundbehandlung (Resina Laricis / Lysimachia comp.)

Society for Cancer Research, Arlesheim
www.vfk.ch

Manufacture of drug loaded particles applying hot melt technology

In a first approach (highly) drug loaded multiparticulates will be developed, applying hot melt coating technologies. Alternatively, a development of tablets could be possible.
APIs with different physico-chemical properties, various drug loads, excipients and quantitative compositions shall be evaluated.
For this, Glatt´s Wurster or selected other fluid bed technologies will be used. The influence of API and excipients properties on the process behavior as well as on the API release shall be evaluated.
Standard in-process-controls like particle size analysis by sieving, laser diffraction other optical methods, as well as analytical tests like assay or dissolution testing will be performed to evaluate the quality of the respective formulations. Details

Marco Fröhlich

No longer available

Zebrafish embryo as a colourful in vivo model to study renal functions

Did you know that zebrafish embryos (ZFE) are a stunning and novel in vivo model to investigate kidney function, mainly glomerular filtration, renal secretion and reabsorption via drug transporter? This, although the tiny ZFE has a diameter of approx. just 1-2mm (1-5 days post-fertilization) and is not even visible by eyes?

We are looking for a motivated master student to further investigate ZFE as a nephrotoxic in vivo model. The project will include mainly performing i.v. injections, confocal microscopy and image editing software to assess nephrotoxic drugs' effect on kidney function in fluorescent transgenic ZFE lines.

X-ray tomography visualization of a 3 days post fertilized ZFE from a previous paper of our group is linked here: http://zebrafish.pharma-te.ch/ to give you a rough impression about ZFE.

Further information can be provided upon request.

No longer available

Porous microparticles for the use of pediatric drug delivery

We have designed a novel multifunctional inorganic carrier for oral drug delivery. These particles illustrate a platform technology for the formulation development of child-friendly orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) which are currently tested in a clinical setting.

We are looking for a highly motivated master student who is willing to work on an applied topic which connects basic research with a clinical application. Main research activities focus on drug loading and optimization of the novel carrier material. Thus, the student will develop a possible solution for pediatric drug delivery and gets hands-on experience with innovative technologies such as tabletop electron microscopy (SEM).