Student Projects

In this semester project, we aim to design advanced drug delivery systems that have tailored release profiles of bioactive ingredients. Initially, a screening of literature review and potential suitable natural polymers will be conducted. The goal will be to find candidate polymers and/or carriers (e.g., such as polymeric nanoparticles or liposomes) that ensures loading of bioactive compounds at clinically relevant dosage. In a second step, these polymers/carriers will be used to formulate nutraceutical products. In case needed, mechanical and chemical characterization of formulation will be performed (e.g., rheological and printability properties). Prolonged-release delivery system will be produced by means of advanced manufacturing approaches (e.g., 3D printing) and the resulting release kinetic of the bioactive compounds will be characterized. Based on the results, different design, formulation, and combination of active compounds will be tested. For this semester project, we are looking for an enterprising student with background in pharmaceutical science, chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, material science, food science or similar field. Previous experience in drug/supplement formulation, nanoparticles and liposomes synthesis is of advantage, polymer design is beneficial. No previous knowledge in additive manufacturing is required. Some of the project tasks can be tailored to the interests of the student.

• Review of suitable polymers for drug and/or supplement encapsulation • Material formulation and characterization (e.g., mechanical/chemical) • Manufacturing of prolonged release delivery systems with different compositions and formulation • Characterization of the dissolution and release properties of the supplement.

Elia Guzzi: guzzie@ethz.ch or elia.guzzi@inkvivo.tech Leonardo Tognola: leonardo.tognola@inkvivo.tech

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most widespread nutritional deficiencies worldwide, increasing the risk for disability and death for more than two billion people. Lack of iron causes anemia, impairs cognitive development, decreases work capacity, and when severe, increases the risk of death during pregnancy, infancy and childhood. Iron supplements are needed for prevention of iron deficiency, especially among infants, children and pregnant women, and for correction of IDA in all affected individuals. Conventional iron supplements, given as a bolus dose, commonly cause nausea, epigastric discomfort and other gastrointestinal side effects that lead many individuals to discontinue and avoid their use. Recently, novel manufacturing techniques (e.g., 3D printing) and biomaterial platforms have become available for ad-hoc additive manufacturing, which have high versatility and flexibility, so that more personalised products could be produced targeting physiological characteristics of specific vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women and women of reproductive age. In this project, a screening of literature review and potential suitable materials will be conducted. The goal will be to find candidate polymers that ensures loading of bioactive compounds at clinical relevant dosage. In a second step, these polymer will be used to formulate bioinks. Gastric resident systems (GDSs) will be produced using advanced manufacturing approaches (e.g., 3D printing) and the resulting release kinetic of the bioactive compounds will be characterized. Based on the results, different GDSs 3D design, formulation, and combination of active compounds will be tested. In case needed, mechanical and chemical characterization of formulated bioinks will be performed (e.g., rheological, printability, and swelling properties). For this internship/master thesis, we are looking for an enterprising student with background in pharmaceutical science, chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, material science or similar field. Previous experience in drug formulation, nanoparticles and liposomes synthesis is of advantage, biology or material design is beneficial. No previous knowledge in additive manufacturing is required. Some of the project tasks can be tailored to the interests of the student.

- Review of suitable polymers for drug encapsulation - Manufacturing of gastric delivery systems with different compositions and formulation; - In vitro release of bioactive compounds from fabricated gastric delivery systems.

Elia Guzzi: elia.guzzi@inkvivo.tech or guzzie@ethz.ch Leonard Tognola: leonardo.tognola@inkvivo.tech

To mimic the solid tumor component, we use established spheroid models to produce tumor spheroids from two different cell lines. The proposed cell types, the human A431 cell line and the human SCC-13 cell line, are both human epidermoid carcinoma cell lines used in skin cancer research. They differ in their malignancy, with the A431 cell line being more malignant, allowing us to study specific tumor development based on aggressiveness and related stage. The tumor spheroids will be added to the model by encapsulating the spheroids in a defined hydrogel scaffold. Spheroid behavior of both cell types in different hydrogel conditions will be investigated and compared between the cell types. To determine the importance of the different scaffold parameters for the development of the spheroids in the 3D scaffold, the spheroids will be closely monitored through imaging and immunofluorescent staining. To further analyze the performance and significance of the scaffold parameters on tumor spheroid behavior protein analysis will be conducted. The protein analysis of tumor spheroids will complement immunofluorescent readouts and help to characterize cell types and particular changes in response to scaffold parameters.

The primary objective of the project is to investigate the behavior of a less malignant SSCC-13 cell line in the current established 3D scaffold, and compare it to the behavior observed for the more malignant A431 cell line. The main tasks here include - cell culture/ spheroid culture - cell/spheroid encapsulation in 3D hydrogels - 3D hydrogel optimization - Immunofluorescent staining - Fluorescent widefield microscopy/ confocal laser scanning microscopy - Protein extraction/ Western Blotting

If you are interested, please contact me Gabriela Da Silva André (dasilvga@ethz.ch) with a short CV and transcript of records. The focus of the project can be adjusted to the student’s interest and experience.

The use of kinetically-controlled systems to program autonomous pH changes in time, such as those based on the hydrolysis of slow acid generators (e.g. delta-gluconolactone GL), for triggering the sol-gel transition of AA-SMSHs has several advantages compared to the direct addition of acids or bases: it allows to ensure a higher degree of homogeneity, resulting in better gels, and to study in situ the gelation mechanism e.g. by rheology. In the present work, we want to gain further insight on the gelation mechanism and the resulting gel properties of representative AA-SMSHs. For our investigation, we selected amino acids which can be turned into SMSHs by protecting their amino groups with carbobenzyloxy (Cbz) and fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) moieties. This choice was made to allow deconvolving the relative contribution of the amino acid group and of the protecting group on the self-assembly behavior of the AA-SMSHs.

The aim of this project is to perform a systematic study on how we can form and degrade amino acid-based hydrogels. Tasks of the project: - Design and perform spectroscopic assays to monitor pH evolution upon gelation. - Evaluate gelation and final hydrogel properties via shear rheology. - Evaluate the formed fibrillar networks using optical microscopy, SAXS, and SEM.

Dalia Dranseike: ddranseik@ethz.ch Dr. Guido Panzarasa: guido.panzarasa@ifb.baug.ethz.ch This project is a collaboration between Active and Adaptive Wood Materials group (D-BAUG) and Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory (D-MAVT) at ETH Zurich.

Hydrogels are soft materials capable of absorbing and retaining large amounts of water. Microscopically, they consist of a three-dimensional network of polymer chains. They find applications in contact lenses, wound dressings, and diapers, and are also widely investigated for versatile biomedical applications. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in high-performance hydrogels with the incentive to mimic highly stiff yet recoverable biological tissues, such as cartilage. However, formulating hydrogel materials for such load-bearing applications remains challenging. To address this, we are developing slide-ring gels, a unique hydrogel material with slidable cross-links that exhibit promising properties. Through this project, you will have the opportunity to learn a series of different techniques. The project involves the synthesis and analysis of hydrogel building blocks, as well as material characterization using various methods. You will also learn to independently design, carry out experiments, and analyze the data. If you are curious and passionate about developing novel materials, we encourage you to apply. As the project might involve chemical synthesis, prior knowledge in synthesis would be beneficial, but not required.

Nika Petelinsek (npetelinsek@ethz.ch)

Dive into the synthesis of a unique crosslinker, an essential part of a photo-cleavable resin. Our aim is to integrate an ortho-nitrobenzyl structure into a network formed through thiol-ene click chemistry. This approach allows for the creation of a network activated by a specific wavelength of light, while the crosslinker can be cleaved at another wavelength. As a student on this project, your primary role will be synthesizing this novel crosslinker. Although we have a target molecule and a theoretical synthesis path, there's room for exploration, inviting you to bring in your ideas. We're looking for a creative student with a background in organic chemistry and some synthesis experience. Join us in an environment where learning, research, and fun converge!

Embark on a journey to discover a synthesis path for an innovative photo-cleavable crosslinker. This project offers you the chance to express your chemical creativity and refine your lab skills. Join our collaborative research space where learning is fun, and you can contribute to the exciting field of watchmaking chemistry!

Morris Wolf, mowolf@ethz.ch

The linker we are working with is based on a polyethylene glycol chain functionalized with two photo-cleavable acrylic end groups that allow to connect to different poly acrylate chains. Upon irradiation with a specific wavelength of light, the linker falls apart and the whole polymer network loses its stability leading to dissolution of the network. This project focusses on transferring the working system from water into an organic system. This involves finding the right solvent, adapting the formulation, and testing the resulting material. In this project, you can learn more about polymer chemistry and mechanical testing but also implement your own ideas and approaches based on literature and experiments. We are therefore looking for a creative student with a background in mechanical engineering, material science or chemistry. In general, we are always happy to teach you new things, explore exciting research ideas and do fun science, while providing a stimulating research environment!

The aim of this process is to adapt a resin formulation from a biomedical to an industrial application and understand the changes of its properties. In this process, you will have the opportunity to live out your scientific creativity and deepen your practical skills in material testing.

Morris Wolf mowolf@ethz.ch