Biological Barriers and Drug Delivery

Although there is already a huge number of different medicines, the search for novel drug candidates is more and more an important field in pharmaceutical research. Besides a lack of existing medications against various severe diseases, the number of pathogens that are resistant to frequently used drugs is still increasing. Advances in molecular biotechnology and medicinal chemistry have led to the discovery of new drug candidates.

However, developing these molecules into actual pharmaceuticals first requires screening of their biochemical properties and their ability to cross biological barriers such as the lungs, the gastro-intestinal tract and the skin. Second, scientists have to establish new technologies to ensure the safe and effective delivery of the drug candidate to the site of action, as for example the site of infection or components of the immune system.

Therefore, the main focus of the department “Drug Delivery” is, on the one hand, on the exploration of biological barriers themselves. On the other hand, a major approach consists in developing appropriate carrier systems that are capable of crossing these barriers and deliver the active molecule to the target. Furthermore, the department expands this approach by creating new experimental models of higher sophistication and relevance for investigating the mechanisms, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. 

In parallel, the nanotechnology platform is to be advanced and broadened in terms of formulating multifunctional nanocarriers that allow tracking of the carriers, targeting to the site of action and release of the payload in a controllable manner in both the model as well as the organism. Last but not least the carrier systems are safely biodegraded and excreted from the body.