Master Thesis In vitro assessment of drug transport from the lung to the blood

Background and study objective: Albeit aerosol inhalation is widely used for drug delivery to the lung, inhalation therapy is currently limited to a few “small” molecules (<1kDa). With state-of-the-art aerosolization techniques structurally complex biotherapeutics (e.g. proteins, antibodies; >30kDa) “survive” nebulization and become relevant
for inhalation therapy. Prior to clinical application, key parameters of drug performance such as toxicity, efficacy and transport from the lung to the blood (pharmacokinetics) are investigated in cell culture models.
The objective of this project is to experimentally assess the transport of novel biologics across in vitro cell models of the airway epithelium.
Aims
1. Expose in vitro cell models of the airway epithelium to aerosolized biologics in a dose-controlled manner
2. Verify viability and integrity of the cell culture model after drug application
3. Experimentally determine the transport of aerosolized drugs across the airway epithelium
What techniques will you use?
• Culturing of lung cells under air-liquid interface conditions
• Aerosolization of drugs (VITROCELL Cloud)
• Cellular viability & cytotoxicity assays (WST-1, LDH, TEER)
• Fluorescence-based drug transport assay
• ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)
Whom are we looking for?
Highly motivated masters student with an interest in pulmonary drug development
What we offer
Established methodologies, through training in all relevant technologies, close supervision by a postdoctoral
researcher, exciting and international research environment, participation in an industry-funded drug development
project
Start date: February/March 2023
Contact person: Dr. Pramod Kumar, Postdoc Pulmonary Aerosol Delivery Group,
Inst. of Lung Health and Immunity & Comprehensive Pneumology Center,
Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg/Munich
Email: pramod.kumar@helmholtz-muenchen.de