Laboratory of Surface Engineering and Drug Delivery Systems

Laboratory description/carried out research

The Laboratory works on the development of new biomaterial technologies and solve the problems in the field of targeted therapy and implant and regenerative medicine. Our research is focused on synthesis and characterization of implantable materials and biocompatible/haemocompatible surfaces, as well as delivery systems for drugs and other active substances. 

Our approach to obtaining materials for contact with living tissues is characterised by the use of processes running in aqueous solutions directly on the surface of the biomaterial with the maximum restriction of the organic solvents application.

A particularly important aspect of research conducted in the Laboratory includes the study of the interactions between biomaterials and cells or tissues, with emphasis on in vitro cytotoxicity tests. In addition, we analyze the physicochemical properties of biomaterials and their surfaces. Our team also analyses cell parameters using flow cytometry. 

The works carried out include mainly: 

  • surface modification of polymers and metals in order to obtain materials with high biocompatibility,
  • scaffolds and other polymer-metal structures for use as bone and cartilage implants,
  • new inorganic-organic formulations having the ability to carry therapeutics based on selective targeting,
  • modification of drug formulations in order to increase their bioavailability, biocompatibility and release time,
  • in vitro cultures of mammalian cells,
  • cytotoxicity tests: XTT, MTT, MTS, LDH, etc.
  • evaluation of cell metabolism, differentiation, proliferation 
  • microscopic observations of cells and material surfaces: optical, fluorescence, confocal microscopy

Services offered:

  • cell culture
  • visualization of cells and assessment of their viability
  • cytotoxicity tests according to ISO 10993-5

Equipment/devices

  • Flow cytometer Beckman-Coulter CytoFlex 
  • Confocal microscope Zeiss Axio Observer Z1 with LSM 800
  • Inverted phase-contrast microscope Nikon TS2 with fluorescence and Fi3 camera
  • Inverted phase-contrast diagnostic microscope MW-50
  • Fluorescence and luminescence reader Spectramax iD3
  • In vitro cell culture infrastructure:
    • Thermo KS12 laminar chambers
    • incubators: Hera Cell with CO2, Biotek NB203 QS with CO2 and shaking, Biotek NB 203 XL 
    • with CO2/O2 
    • Autoclave Tuttnauer 3840 ELC-D 
    • Centrifuges MPW 352R and Pro Hospital LL
    • Dewar for storage of cells in liquid nitrogen
    • -80°C freezer ARCTIKO ULTF 220 
    • Refrigerator with -18°C freezer
    • Small equipment: shaker, thermometer, analytical and technical balances, vortex, water bath, magnetic stirrers

Projects

  1. A new regeneration method of intervertebral disc. (NCBiR, 2020-2023)
  2. Transdermal hydrogel nanoformulation of alendronic acid for transdermal release. (NCBiR, 2021-2023)
  3. Rapid COVID-19 diagnostics with the use of surface plasmon resonance sensors. (IDUB against COVID-19, 2020-2021)

Employees

Associates

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