Novel Applications

Microtissues from human mesenchymal stem cells and siRNA-nanoparticles loaded into cross-linked gelatin microparticles have been developed by our group for homogeneous and long-lasting silencing effects. Chordin is an antagonist of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (BMP-2). Chordin is upregulated during early osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. It binds the strongly osteogenic BMP-2, prevents its receptor binding and subsequent prevents its stimulation of osteogenic differentiation. We could show that silencing Chordin consequently enhances osteogenic differentiation of our microtissues.​

team

Dr. Franziska Mitrach and Jonas Kubat discover​ on the base of Dr. Sandra Hinkelmann as Post Doctoral researcher and PhD student. They are discovering new silencing targets.

literature

Mitrach F, Kubat J, Simm S, et al. siRNA Delivery via Cross-Linked Gelatin Microparticles Enables Targeted Modulation of Osteogenic-Vascular Cross-Talk: An Advanced Human 3D in Vitro Test System for Therapeutic siRNA. Advanced Healthcare Materials. 2026: e04773. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202504773​

Hinkelmann S , Springwald A , Schulze S , et al. Mineralizing gelatin microparticles as cell carrier and drug delivery system for siRNA for bone tissue engineering. Pharmaceutics. 2022;14(3):548. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030548

Hinkelmann S , Springwald A , Starke A , et al. Microtissues from mesenchymal stem cells and sirna-loaded cross-linked gelatin microparticles for bone regeneration. Materials Today Bio. 2022;13:100190. doi: 10.101​6/j.mtbio.2021.100190

funding

​In this project the Institute of Pharmacy in collaboration with the department of gastroenterology of the University of Leipzig Medical Center​ are going to develop a 3D-printed drug-releasing patch for treatment of MALT-Lymphoma in the stomach mucosa. We are designing a patch that releases an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in a controlled way to treat the malignant cells locally and specifically. The patch will be placed endoscopically on top of the MALT lymphoma in order to release the API over a scheduled period.​

Link to the official page​

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​Novel gastric patches​​​​

​​​In this study, we set up a 3D printed and deployable patch (4D printing) made of agarose and chitosan. Agarose served a non-changed matrix for controlled release of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), while chitosan provided mucoadhesive properties of the patch. We dispersed superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) in the matrix to enable positioning in the stomach in an magnetic field. In order to direct API release to the stomach mucosa only, we coated the patch with Eudragit FL 30 D-55 which prevented release to the stomach lumen.

A drying procedure was developed that allowed for defined shrinking of the patch. This way, the patch was shown to fit into a standard capsule for oral delivery. Once delivered in the stomach, the patch unfolds and can be positioned in the magnetic field.

team

​Dr. Dina B. Mahmoud developed these novel gastric patches at our workgroup.​

literature

Mahmoud D , Börner M , Wölk C , & Schulz‐Siegmund M A deployable 4d printed, mucoadhesive and magnetically guided patch for local therapy of gastric cancer. Adv Healthcare Materials. 2025. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202501085​   

funding

In cooperation with the department of urology of the Medical Research Center of Leipzig University (overall project head: Dr. Mandy Berndt-Paetz​), the pharmaceutical technology received a grant from the federal state of Saxony under the umbrella of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF, german: EFRE). The aim of the project lies in the conception and design of a drug-loaded stent for local, post-operative treatment of tumors of the ureter. Whereas the standard therapy for ureteral tumors is complete surgical resection of the impacted ureter and its associated kidney, low-risk tumors can alternatively be removed by minimally invasive laser ablation of the tumor tissue. However, with this treatment, there is a high likelihood of remaining tumor cells that lead to a reoccurrence of the tumor. Prevention of such relapses is the objective of the funded project.

The drug-eluting stent is projected to be placed in the location of the tumor that is ablated beforehand. The stent will continuously release tumor-specific small interfering RNA as its drug component. It is intended to use metal stents that are coated on the in- and outside with a newly developed hydrophilic polymer. A siRNA-reservoir is then applied to the coated stent and forms the contact area with the ureter epithel and any remaining tumor cells. Lipoplexes of the siRNA that are embedded in the reservoir are intended as an effective delivery system. In this way, specific oncogenes will be silenced and the tumor cells will be suppressed, whereas adjacent, healthy cells will not be touched.​

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