The Breunig group develops drug delivery systems for small drug molecules, proteins and nucleic acids. We use the following platform technologies:
The team works on the following topics:
Development of nano-sized HIV vaccines
Delivery of antigens to draining lymph nodes is essential for a potent HIV vaccine. Therefore, we use silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) as delivery platform for the multimeric presentation of HIV´s Envelope (Env) immunogen. We optimize the site-specific coupling reaction to achieve virus-mimetic nanoparticles that are physico-chemically characterized regarding size, zeta potential and functionality of the antigen. The multivalent antigen presentation leads to an increased avidity to B cell receptors followed by a higher B cell activation. Together with our partners from the HIVacToGC consortium we also investigate the kinetics of Env delivery to the lymph nodes in vivo.
The SiNPs are a platform technology which is also transferred to other protein-based antigens like e.g. the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2.
Hydrogels for sustained release of nanoparticulate antigens
Immunization usually requires several visits to a doctor to receive full immune protection. However, this conventional prime boost vaccination regimen is not as efficient regarding eliciting an immune response compared to other kinetics of vaccine application. Therefore, we create hydrogels that release nanoparticulate vaccines with various kinetics over a prolonged time.
Tools to gain temporal and spatial control of drug release
Together with our collaboration partners (AG Bäumner (externer Link, öffnet neues Fenster), AG Pauly (externer Link, öffnet neues Fenster), AG Wagner (externer Link, öffnet neues Fenster)) we develop a liposome-based assay for the quantification of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies in patient sera. Our task in the consortium is to develop a virus surrogate which acts as trigger entity to release indicator molecules from liposomes.