Research Field
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Title
Optimisation of a microfluidic method for the production of
polyplexes for gene therapy
Description
Nucleic acid delivery has been postulated as the therapy of the
future as it bears the potential to tackle numerous to date scarcely
curable, inherited as well as acquired genetic diseases, such as
cancer. Over the last decades, numerous viral vectors and nonviral
lipoplexes and polyplexes have emerged for more efficient, specific,
and safe delivery of nucleic acids to their site of action. However,
efficient transport of the nucleic acid in the bloodstream from the
injection site to the distant target site like a tumor has remained the
foremost challenge. It is of utmost importance to reliably generate
well defined polyplexes that are capable of transporting the payload
safely to the tumor site. Unfortunately, the properties of the
polyplexes vary not only between researchers but also between
batches produced by the same researcher due to small changes in
the production routine.
Therefore, we are currently developing an automated polyplex
production method that will enable us to generate those particles
faster, safer and with a higher degree of reproducibility.
This method is harnessing the powers of microfluidics in combination
with surface acoustic waves for the controlled assembly of the
nanoparticles.
The objective of this project is the optimization and utilization of the
above mentioned method. The student will
 Learn the basics of microfluidics
 Generate simple polyplexes
 Characterize those polyplexes by Dynamic Light Scattering
 Optimize this method with regard to reproducibility, speed
and precision
 Compare hand-made polyplexes with polyplexes made with
above mentioned method in vitro
1.
Lächelt, U. & Wagner, E. Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Using
Polyplexes: A Journey of 50 Years (and Beyond). Chem. Rev.
150415062557000 (2015). doi:10.1021/cr5006793
2.
Frommelt, T. et al. Microfluidic Mixing via Acoustically Driven
Chaotic Advection. Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 034502 (2008).
Supervisor
Prof. Dr. Ernst Wagner
Research Mentor
Dominik Wendel, PhD Student
Department
Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Pharmacy Department
Website
http://www.cup.uni-muenchen.de/pb/aks/ewagner/