Student Projects
If you are interest in a project in the laboratory, feel free to contact any member even if no project is posted in SiROP
Cationic Hyperbranched Polymer/Collagen Based Porous Hydrogels for Dermal Tissue Engineering
In this project, we are developing 3D hydrogel networks with interconnected porous structures that emulate the native extracellular matrix(ECM). These hydrogels are designed to provide a three-dimensional microenvironment that supports cell adhesion, viability, proliferation, and tissue-specific functions. By tailoring the hydrogel composition, charge density, porosity, and mechanical properties, we aim to create biomimetic scaffolds that facilitate nutrient and oxygen transport while promoting cell infiltration and tissue regeneration. The resulting hydrogel platforms have potential applications as dermal scaffolds for wound healing and the development of chronic wound skin models.
Keywords
Hydrogels, hyperbranched polymers, collagen, tissue engineering
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Semester Project
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Published since: 2026-07-16
Organization Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory
Hosts Fan Yanmiao
Topics Engineering and Technology
Engineering of Gastroretentive Drug Delivery systems
Polymer-based drug delivery systems play a central role in shaping modern therapeutics, offering controlled release behavior and improved patient compliance. Yet traditional formulation development still relies largely on resource-intensive and time-consuming iterative experimentation to balance the complex interactions between polymer composition, processing parameters, and drug release behavior. This project aims to build a comprehensive understanding of how formulation variables govern functional performance by integrating active ingredient’s encapsulation studies, rheological and mechanical analyses, and detailed release-kinetic profiling. The resulting dataset will later support data-driven modelling, enabling faster identification of promising compositions. This approach not only streamlines pharmaceutical development but also advances sustainable practices by minimizing material waste, positioning data-driven formulation as a cornerstone of next-generation smart therapeutics.
Keywords
Drug Delivery Polymer formulation Advanced manufacturing Machine learning
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Semester Project , Internship , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2026-06-05 , Earliest start: 2026-06-08 , Latest end: 2027-08-31
Applications limited to Balgrist Campus , EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne , ETH Zurich , Fernfachhochschule , Zurich University of Applied Sciences , University of Zurich , University of Basel , University of Berne , Institute for Research in Biomedicine , Hochschulmedizin Zürich , Empa
Organization Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory
Hosts Guzzi Elia
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology , Chemistry
PDMS-Based Bioreactor Investigating Cell Behavior in Response to Hydrostatic Pressure and Substrate Stiffness
Introduction and Background Skin cells dynamically respond to mechanical and biochemical stimuli, which influence critical processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and migration. By understanding this interplay, mechanical and biochemical stimuli may be used in the future to facilitate the growth of skin patches, tissue formation, and organ regeneration, enabling new therapies and benefiting patients. The study of these responses, mechanobiology, requires advanced in-vitro systems to emulate physiological conditions. This project utilizes a device designed for controlled manipulation of hydrostatic pressure (0.1–1.5 kPa) and substrate stiffness (0.1–100 kPa). The system facilitates isolated and scalable experiments to analyze how the interplay of these mechanical parameters affects cell behavior. In this thesis, the student will use this system to investigate how different stimuli affect cell behavior.
Keywords
Bioreactor, tissue engineering, organ regeneration
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Master Thesis
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Published since: 2026-06-01 , Earliest start: 2025-09-01 , Latest end: 2026-03-05
Organization Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory
Hosts Binz Jonas
Topics Engineering and Technology , Biology
How Mechanical Forces Shape Cell Fate – and the Future of Regenerative Medicine
Project Summary We’re developing a powerful new in vitro model to untangle the complex mechanical cues—osmotic pressure and substrate stiffness—that skin cells experience every day. These signals are deeply intertwined in the body, but we’re building a system to decouple and precisely control them, for the first time. Why? Because understanding how cells respond to these forces is crucial for engineering functional tissues, guiding organ regeneration, and tackling mechanobiology-driven diseases like fibrosis.
Keywords
Key words: mechanical stresses, cell behavior, fibroblasts, immunostaining.
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Master Thesis
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Published since: 2026-05-26 , Earliest start: 2026-07-02 , Latest end: 2027-02-28
Organization Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory
Hosts Cuni Filippo
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology , Biology
PDMS-Based Bioreactor Investigating Cell Behavior in Response to Hydrostatic Pressure and Substrate Stiffness
Introduction and Background Skin cells dynamically respond to mechanical and biochemical stimuli, which influence critical processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and migration. By understanding this interplay, mechanical and biochemical stimuli may be used in the future to facilitate the growth of skin patches, tissue formation, and organ regeneration, enabling new therapies and benefiting patients. The study of these responses, mechanobiology, requires advanced in-vitro systems to emulate physiological conditions. This project utilizes a device designed for controlled manipulation of hydrostatic pressure (0.1–1.5 kPa) and substrate stiffness (0.1–100 kPa). The system facilitates isolated and scalable experiments to analyze how the interplay of these mechanical parameters affects cell behavior. In this thesis, the student will use this system to investigate how different stimuli affect cell behavior.
Keywords
Bioreactor, tissue engineering, organ regeneration
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Master Thesis
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Published since: 2026-04-15 , Earliest start: 2026-06-01 , Latest end: 2027-01-31
Organization Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory
Hosts Cuni Filippo
Topics Engineering and Technology , Biology