Foto: Harald Unterweger\Uniklinikum Erlangen
Cardiovascular Nanomedicine group at the Section of Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine (SEON) focuses on the application of nanomedical strategies for the detection and treatment of atherosclerosis. In spite of the recent developments in imaging techniques, many vulnerable plaques still evade the timely detection. Employing ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) to refine the available non-invasive techniques should improve the detection of atherosclerotic plaques and reduce the risk of acute cardiovascular events.
The conventional pharmacologic therapy of the clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis uses systemic drug administration. This approach has several serious disadvantages, such as considerable side-effects or low efficacy at tolerated doses. In our projects, we aim to overcome these disadvantages, e.g. by delivering drugs coupled to nanoparticles or nanocapsules in a targeted manner. This approach promises a local treatment of plaques, which is expected to substantially minimize adverse effects, by lowering the drug cytotoxicity and reducing the required dosage.
Another key topic of our work is related to vascular regeneration. We extensively investigated the cell-compatibility of different hydrogels for 3D models and the possibility of improving colonization of polymeric nanofiber scaffolds with vascular cells using magnetic cell seeding technique. In our new international project, we aim at development of novel biodegradable vascular grafts that should enable rapid endothelialization and reduce the risk of thrombosis or infections.
Within SFB/TRR 225 project, we pursue research aiming at biofabrication of 3D tissue and tumor models containing endothelialized perfusable microvascular networks based on thermoresponsive polymer technology. Particular focus is placed on the network functionality, interactions with immune cells and tumor cells, as well as angiogenesis.
News
Collaborative Research Center/Transregio TRR225 "From the Fundamentals of Biofabrication to Functional Tissue Models".
At its autumn meeting of 2025, the DFG decided to extend the funding of Collaborative Research Center/Transregio "From the Fundamentals of Biofabrication to Functional Tissue Models" for the third period. SEON participates in the interdisciplinary network with the subproject C07: "Endothelialized perfusable microvascular systems for biofabrication of standardized in vitro tissue models", led by Prof. Dr. Iwona Cicha (SEON), with Dr. Antje Appelt-Menzel and Dr. Matthias Ryma (FMZ, University Hospital Würzburg). SFB/TRR225 "BioFab" will continue to be funded for four years from January 1, 2026.
CRC/TRR 225 continues for another four years - SFB TRR 225 biofab
Our bilateral project NAMIRA has recently received funding from the DFG and the Polish National Science Centre (NCN).
In this project, titled "Multifunctional nanofibrous materials for vascular tissue engineering", WG Cicha will collaborate closely with Dr. habil. Beata Butruk-Raszeja and the team of the Biomedical Engineering Lab at the Warsaw University of Technology.
From the fundamentals of biofabrication towards functional tissue models (SFB/TRR 225)
SFB/Transregio DFG Funding, 2018-2029
Project goal
Within SFB/TRR 225 project, we pursue research aiming at biofabrication of 3D tissue and tumor models containing endothelialized perfusable microvascular networks based on thermoresponsive polymer technology. Particular focus of the third funding period is placed on the network functionality, interactions with immune cells and tumor cells, as well as angiogenesis.
Collaboration partners
- Dr. Taufiq Ahmad, UK Würzburg
- Dr. Antje Appelt-Menzel, UK Würzburg
- Prof. Dr. Andreas Arkudas, UKER
- Prof. Dr. Torsten Blunk, UK Würzburg
- Prof. Dr. Aldo R. Boccaccini, FAU
- Prof. Dr. Anja Bosserhoff, FAU
- Dr. Silvia Budday, FAU
- Prof. Dr. E. Ada Cavalcanti-Adam
- Prof. Dr. Iwona Cicha, UKER
- Dr.-Ing. Rainer Detsch, FAU
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Döpper, Uni Bayreuth
- PD Dr. Regina Ebert, Uni Würzburg
- Prof. Dr. Ben Fabry, FAU
- Prof. Dr. Dr. Oliver Friedrich, FAU
- Prof. Dr. Stephan Gekle, Uni Bayreuth
- Prof. Dr. Jürgen Groll, UK Würzburg
- Prof. Dr. Katrin Heinze, Uni Würzburg
- Prof. Dr. Leonid Ionov, Uni Bayreuth
- Dr. Tomasz Jüngst, UK Würzburg
- Prof. Dr. Annika Kengelbach-Weigand, UKER
- Jun.-Prof. Dr. Florian Kleefeld
- Dr.-Ing. Gregor Lang, UK Würzburg
- Jun.-Prof. Dr. Meike Leiske
- Prof. Dr. Tessa Lühmann, Uni Würzburg
- Prof. Dr. Janina Müller-Deile, UKER
- Prof. Dr. Lutz Nuhn, Uni Würzburg
- Prof. Dr. Georg Papastavrou, Uni Bayreuth
- PD Dr. Teresa Promny, UKER
- Dr. Matthias Ryma, UK Würzburg
- Prof. Dr. Sahar Salehi-Müller, Uni Hohenheim
- PD Dr. Natascha Schäfer, UK Würzburg
- Prof. Dr. Thomas Scheibel, Uni Bayreuth
- PD Dr. Rafael Schmid, UKER
- Prof. Dr. Jürgen Seibel, Uni Würzburg
- Prof. Dr. Reiner Strick, UKER
- Dr. habil. Jörg Teßmar, UK Würzburg
- Prof. Dr. Carmen Villmann, UK Würzburg
- Prof. Dr. Harald Wajant, UK Würzburg
- Prof. Dr. Matthias Weiss, Uni Bayreuth
Multifunctional nanofibrous materials for vascular tissue engineering (NAMIRA)
DFG-NCN Funding, 2026-2029
Project goal
Within this new international project, we are collaborating with partners in Poland to develop novel, biodegradable vascular prostheses designed to facilitate rapid endothelialization and reduce the risk of thrombosis or infection. Our previous systematic studies on the material properties required to improve polyurethane-based vascular prostheses enabled us to select a material structure (fibrous), a surface topography (nanoscale fibers), and a coating (polynoradrenaline) that support rapid endothelialization and possess sufficient mechanical properties to replace damaged vessels in vivo. The goal of the current project is to develop nanofibrous, biodegradable vascular prostheses with antibacterial and antithrombotic properties.
Collaboration partners
- Dr. habil. Beata Butruk-Raszeja, Warsaw University of Technology, Polen
- Prof. Dr. Tomasz Ciach, Warsaw University of Technology, Polen
Vascular endothelium-supporting materials: Understanding the structural and physicochemical requirements.
DFG-NCN Funding, 2021-2024
Project goal
Small-diameter vessel replacement by autologous vessel transplantation is limited by the low availability of suitable graft tissue in many patients This project focused on detailed and systematic analyses of material properties and biological requirements for the development of improved, surface-modified polyurethane-based vascular prostheses that promote rapid endothelialization and possess sufficient mechanical properties to replace damaged vessels.
Collaboration partners
- Prof. Dr. Tomasz Ciach University of Technology, Polen
- Dr. Michał Wojasiński, Warsaw University of Technology, Polen
- Dr. habil. Beata Butruk-Raszeja, Warsaw University of Technology, Polen
Nanomedical approach to prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis
DFG Funding, 2018-2020
Project goal
In the field of atherosclerosis, magnetic targeting of SPION-loaded cells on vascular stents to prevent thrombosis and restenosis has shown promise as a preclinical approach. By increasing effective local doses of pharmaceutical agents, magnetic drug targeting may also be a useful tool to improve plaque stability and reduce inflammatory responses. In this project, we investigated the effects of blood components on magnetic particle accumulation under blood flow and performed in vivo magnetic drug targeting studies.
Collaboration partners
- Prof. Dr. Tobias Bäuerle, UKER
- Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Garlichs, DIAKO Hospital Flensburg
- Prof. Dr. Margarete Goppelt-Struebe, UKER
Small diameter vascular prostheses with bioactive coating - analysis of hemocompatibility and endothelial cell response (BioCoatGraft)
DFG Funding, 2018-2020
Project goal
The project included the clinically urgent development, production and in vitro functional testing of the small-diameter vascular prostheses based on polyurethanes. The major tasks addressed were: (1) Fabrication of tubular grafts using medical-grade polyurethanes, followed by modifications of the surface with bioactive coatings and detailed analysis of the physicochemical properties. (2) Functional verification of the grafts, analysis of hemocompatibility and thrombogenicity under static and dynamic conditions, as well as comparison of two different endothelialization processes: magnetic seeding of endothelial cells (EC) onto the luminal surface of the graft and perfusion seeding.
Collaboration partners
- Prof. Dr. Hania Hlawaty, INSERM, France
- Prof. Dr. Tomasz Ciach, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland
Nanomedicine for target-specific imaging and treatment of atherothrombosis: Development and initial clinical feasibility (NanoAthero)
Large Scale FP7 EU Funding, 2013-2018
Project goal
NanoAthero project aimed at demonstration of initial clinical feasibility of nanosystems for targeted imaging and treatment of advanced atherosclerotic disease in humans. NanoAthero offered a unique opportunity for combining in-depth knowledge of nanocarrier bioengineering
Collaboration partners
- Prof. Dr. Didier Letourneur, INSERM, Frankreich
- Prof. Dr. Erik S. G. Stroes, AMC, Niederlande
- Dr. Claudia Cabella, Bracco, Italien
- Prof. Janos Szebeni, Prof. Dr. Laszlo Dezsi, Semmelweis Uni, Ungarn
- Dr. Isabelle Texier, CEA, Frankreich
- Dr. Damien Faivre, MPIKG, Deutschland
- Prof. Gert Strom, Uni Utrecht, Niederlande
- Dr. Bart Metselaar, Uni Twente,
- Prof. Dr. Harald Mangge, Dr. Gunter Almer, Uni Graz, Österreich
