Research Activities

Our lab is focused on the design of new biomaterials, the investigation of strategies for the repair or replacement of damaged tissues, and the development of innovative drug delivery systems. We always welcome undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers with background in fields such as pharmacy, chemistry, and biology to apply and join our research team. For more information, please contact Prof. Dr. Achim Göpferich and submit a brief statement of your reason for applying.

Nanoparticle Distribution in Tissue and Organs

Nanoparticle distribution in the posterior segment of the eye. Nanoparticles accumulate in the endothelial cells of the choriocapillaris (CC). Sclera (S); retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Fluorescent nanoparticles (red); DAPI nuclei staining (blue); tissue autofluorescence (gray). (Figure taken from: Pollinger et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 2013, 110, 6115–6120, www.pnas.org/content/110/15/6115).

Nanoparticles are subject to limited biodistribution due to their size and physicochemical properties which is a severe handicap for their therapeutic application. An exception is tumor tissue into which nanoparticles may extravasate through endothelial fenestrations. These openings stem from changes in malignant tissue blood vessels, particularly in capillaries. But endothelial fenestrations also exist in the capillaries of healthy tissues such as the kidneys’ glomeruli and the choroid... more.

Interactions of material with cells and tissues

Illustration of the multivalent interaction of nanoparticles with cells. Multivalency is a well-established strategy to obtain nanostructures with high avidities for target-cells or -tissues. The Figure shows the phenomenon for a poly(lactide-co-glykolide) (PLGA) nanoparticle functionalized with angiotensin II (Ang-II), binding to a cellular surface expressing the angiotensin II receptor subtype 1 (AT1R) © Universität Regensburg, Lehrstuhl für Pharmazeutische Technologie

Interactions of cells or tissues on the one side and materials on the other side play a crucial role in numerous applications in pharmaceutical science or biomedicine. Specific interactions between the two may be applied to trigger a desired cell behavior that is beneficial for cell culture or tissue engineering to mention two examples. In these cases the material surface area can exceed the cellular surface area by orders of magnitude. However, also in the reverse scenario when nanomaterials encounter cells or tissues, specific interactions play an outstanding role too. In this context our group focuses on investigatiing interactions of functionalized nanoparticles with therapeutically relevant target-cells...more.

Drug Delivery

The group develops various carrier systems (light blue cylinder, figure A) like hydrogels, inhalable microparticles or implants intented for the controlled release of pharmacologically active or diagnostic agents (deep blue spheres, Abbildung A). In particular, this includes therapeutical proteins and antibodies as well as several nanoparticulate materials. The design of these carrier systems is supposed for a controlled release over versatile, medically reasonable periods of time (sample release profil, figue B). © Universität Regensburg, Lehrstuhl für Pharmazeutische Technologie.

The pharmacological properties of drug substances are the basis of an effective pharmacotherapy. Nevertheless, their physicochemical properties often impede an application using conventional dosage forms. Due to insufficient stability, low solubility or unfavorable biodistribution of drug molecules, their therapeutic efficacy can be moderate... more.