Modules in Biophysical or Polymer Chemistry

Polymer Therapeutics for the Transport of Pharmacologic Activ Nucleic Acids (OC, Makro, BioPC, MakroBio)

Objectives:

Preparation and Characterization of functionalized and stimuli-responsive RNA and DNA carrier systems.

Chemistry:

• controlled radical polymerization for preparation of block-copolymers with diverse architecture
• organic synthesis of functional linking and cross-linking agents with stimuli-resposive elements
• synthesis and functionalising of polymer nanoparticles

Characterization:

• analytical methods of organic and makromolecular chemistry (NMR-techniques, mass spectrometry, GPC, other spectroscopic techniques)
• physicochemical characterization (DLS, FCS, AFM, TEM, etc.)

Amphiphilic Copolymers for the Transport of Pharmaceutical Agents through e.g. the Blood-brain barrier (BioPC, BioPolymers, Makro, OC)

Objectives:

Biocompatible and biodegradeable Polymers for targeted drug-transport through biological barriers, e.g. blood-brain barrier (bbb). Along with polymer synthesis in vitro and in vivo characterization has do be conducted.

Experimental methods:

• Synthesis of amphiphilic Copolymers for medical applications using controlled radical polymerization (RAFT)
• Examination of agglomeration of biocompatibel polymers
• Loading up polymers with drugs
• in vitro evaluation of polymers (cell uptake, decomposition)
• in vivo evaluation: body distribution and transport of psychotropic drugs through the bbb

Characterization:

• NMR
• GPC
• HPLC
• Fluorescencespectroscopy
• Fluorescencemicroscopy
• Dynamic light scattering
• Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy
• Behavior experiments

Switchable polymercoatings for diagnostics in life-science applications (OC, Makro, BioPolymers)

Objectives:

Establishing novel polymers for immobilizing specific targetstructures and release of these structeres by employing an external stimulus.

Chemistry:

• Synthesis of hybridpolymers using polykondensation or controlled radical polymerization techniques
• Organic synthesis of targeting structures, linking agents and novel monomers
• Functionalising surfaces of interest, concerning materials from medical diagnostics
• Preparation of bioassays

Characterization:

• Analytical methods in organic chemistry, e.g. NMR-spectroscopy, ATR-IR-spectroscopy.
• Determination of materials properties using GPC and TGA.
• Examination of surfaces with contact-angle measurement, AFM and other spectroscopic techniques.
• Evaluation of prepared bioassays, e.g. with fluorescencereader, binding studies, etc..

The focus of the module can be set individually on different aspects of chemistry, such as organic chemistry, macromolecular chemistry, biophysics or analytics.

HPMA based Polymers: Evaluation of its structure-property-relationships on model tumors in vitro and in vivo (BioPC, Biopolymere, MakroPC, OC)

Objectives:

Synthesis of HPMA-based copolymers and block-copolymers with selective targeting sequences. The selectivity is then applicable as polymer therapeutics for tumor-accumulation-studies. Furthermore preparation of these polymer systems for in vitro experiments and radioactive labeling.

Chemistry:

• Synthesis of defined polymer-structures using RAFT polymerization-technique.
• Synthesis of selective targeting sequences and modulation of aggregation structures via functional groups.
• Investigation of polymer aggregates concerning size and micellar structures.
• In vitro studies determining the way of uptake of different polymer systems in model tumors as well as with protein-polymer-interaction.
• In vivo studies with positron emission tomography (PET) to determine the body-distribution of polymer therapeutics.

Characterization:

• NMR
• IR
• GPC
• HPLC
• Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS)
• Fluorescence microscopy
• dynamic light scattering
• ring-tensiometry
• PET