FOR 917: Nanoparticle-based Delivery of Innovative Therapies (NanoTarget)

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Gene- and cell-based therapies have great potential for the treatment of human diseases. However, targeting the transfer of genetic material (nucleic acids, viral and non-viral vectors) to specific cells in certain, defined body areas is still a major hurdle for successful gene-based therapies. In addition, targeted positioning of cells in organs of the patient would be required for many cell-based therapies (e.g. stem cells) to achieve efficient accumulation of therapeutic cells in damaged organs. The aim of this Research Unit is the development of nanoparticle-based strategies for targeted transduction and positioning of cells. We will focus on the cardiovascular system, because of its high medical relevance. Furthermore, the cardiovascular continuum is of outmost importance for the delivery of therapies - be it genetic material and/or cells - via the circulation. To achieve non-invasive targeting of genetic material and transduced cells, nanoparticles will be used that are superparamagnetic (magnetic nanoparticles, MNPs). The use of MNPs has the big advantage that these particles and their cargo as well as MNP containing cells can be guided by magnetic fields.