Interactions of materials 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. Here we especially look into possible modes of binding and cellular internalization processes. In an effort to investigate these aspects, it will be a key task to develop tools enabling us to control the processes of cellular binding of nanoparticles and their subsequent distribution in cells.
Our goal is to develop a deeper understanding of how nanoparticles interact with cells due to their physicochemical properties and which cellular structures are crucial for this interaction. Thereby, we aim to draw conclusions on the disposition of nanoparticles in biological systems.
Eva Wrobel - 08.02.2021 10:44 
Pharmaceutical Technology
Nanoparticle Distribution in Tissues and Organs
Interactions of materials with cells and tissues
Drug Delivery