Methods
Techniques and Equipment
The research group comprises a variety of methods to prepare and characterize drug carriers. Below, a number of methods are given that are hosted by the research group. Excess to all other necessary methods for polymer synthesis, polymer engineering, polymer/carrier characterization, and biological evaluation are accessible within the institute.
Highlights
Micro/-nanoparticles and microfluidics labs
Sterilization lab
(Steam-, Heat-, Gamma-,
and Ethylene oxide sterilization)
GMP-conform clean room
(class C, A-in-B working areas,
CIP/ SIP lyophilizer)
Selected Techniques and Equipment for Carrier Systems
- Emulsification Techniques Rotor-stator (IKA Ultra Turrax T25), Ultrasound (Bandelin Sonopuls HD 3200 ), High Pressure homogenizer (APV 2000, Avestin Emulsiflex C5), Droplet-based microfluidics
- Characterization of Particle Size, Particle Shape, and Zeta Potential Static light scattering (Malvern Mastersizer 2000 with Hydro2000 and Hydro µP cells), Dynamic light scattering (Beckman-Coulter DelsaNano C with Autotitrator, Malvern Zetasizer ZS), automatic microscope with image analysis (Malvern Morphology G3)
- Imaging Fluorescence microscopy (Leica DMI6000), High speed optical microscopy (Keyence)
- Drug Release Studies Paddle apparatus with online UV monitoring (Varian VK7025 with Cary 300BIO UV/Vis spectrophotometer), Flow through cell with autosampler (Erweka), Glass diffusion cells (Side-by-side cells, Franz cells-PermGear), Circulating air incubators (Sartorius Certomat)
- Quantification of Bioactive Molecules HPLC with DAD UV/Vis detector (Agilent 1200 series), UV-Vis Spectrophotometry (Varian Cary 50 with Autosampler), various assays (Protein assays, ELISA, etc.)
- Material Characterization ATR-FTIR (Shimadzu FTIR-8400S)
- Centrifugation Techniques Several lab centrifuges (e.g. Heraeus Stratos), ultracentrifugation (Sowall WX 80)
- Stability Testing Climate chambers for stability studies including photostability (Binder)
- Miscellaneous Lyophilization (Christ Alpha 2-4), Vacuum Oven (e.g. Thermo Fisher), Biological Safety Cabinets (e.g. Nunc, Heraeus), Analytical balances including microbalance (e.g., Mettler), Endotoxin free water supply (Siemens Ultra-Clear UV UF TM), Osmometer (Knauer 7400), etc.