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Scalable manufacturing of granular biomaterials for wound healing
The development of biomaterials for chronic wound healing faces significant challenges in achieving shelf-stability, transportability, and compliance with clinical manufacturing standards. To address these hurdles, we aim to integrate a freeze-drying (lyophilization) step into the preparation of our granular hydrogels, facilitating storage and transport without compromising functionality. By validating the post-rehydration performance of lyophilized microgels, we aim to ensure the robustness of our product for clinical use.
Supervisors: Apoorv Singh, BRIDGE fellow and Dr Börte Emiroglu, PIONEER fellow
Required experience: prior lab experience is desired, in particular in material preparation, characterization or bioengineering
Supervisors: Apoorv Singh, BRIDGE fellow and Dr Börte Emiroglu, PIONEER fellow
Required experience: prior lab experience is desired, in particular in material preparation, characterization or bioengineering
Initial studies will focus on optimizing the lyophilization and rehydration processes to preserve microgel structure, cytokine sequestration and biomolecule release efficiency, and mechanical integrity. This effort will be geared towards aligning material preparation with GMP requirements.
Lyophilization Optimization: Granular hydrogels will undergo freeze-drying cycles with varying sublimation and annealing parameters to determine optimal protocols.
Rehydration Studies: Rehydrated microgels will be assessed for functional integrity, including structural recovery, swelling capacity, biomolecule diffusion.
Material Characterization: Analytical techniques such as widefield/confocal microscopy, and rheometry will verify the preservation of microgel morphology, size distribution, porosity, and mechanical properties.
Functional Validation: Biomolecule diffusion assays (e.g., ELISA, ITC) will assess the capacity of rehydrated microgels to restore the balance of regenerative biomolecules.
This project emphasizes the translational potential of granular hydrogels by focusing on scalable manufacturing and reproducibility. By combining rigorous material testing with GMP-aligned process optimization, this work directly bridges the gap between lab-scale innovation and clinical application.
Initial studies will focus on optimizing the lyophilization and rehydration processes to preserve microgel structure, cytokine sequestration and biomolecule release efficiency, and mechanical integrity. This effort will be geared towards aligning material preparation with GMP requirements.
Lyophilization Optimization: Granular hydrogels will undergo freeze-drying cycles with varying sublimation and annealing parameters to determine optimal protocols.
Rehydration Studies: Rehydrated microgels will be assessed for functional integrity, including structural recovery, swelling capacity, biomolecule diffusion.
Material Characterization: Analytical techniques such as widefield/confocal microscopy, and rheometry will verify the preservation of microgel morphology, size distribution, porosity, and mechanical properties.
Functional Validation: Biomolecule diffusion assays (e.g., ELISA, ITC) will assess the capacity of rehydrated microgels to restore the balance of regenerative biomolecules.
This project emphasizes the translational potential of granular hydrogels by focusing on scalable manufacturing and reproducibility. By combining rigorous material testing with GMP-aligned process optimization, this work directly bridges the gap between lab-scale innovation and clinical application.
If working on something that could one day help improve patients’ lives is something you’re passionate about, write to us at boerte.emiroglu@chem.ethz.ch and apsingh@ethz.ch. Please include a CV, short cover letter/description including what experience you have, what you are looking to explore/learn through the project, and any other ideas you have that could be relevant. We look forward to hearing from you!
If working on something that could one day help improve patients’ lives is something you’re passionate about, write to us at boerte.emiroglu@chem.ethz.ch and apsingh@ethz.ch. Please include a CV, short cover letter/description including what experience you have, what you are looking to explore/learn through the project, and any other ideas you have that could be relevant. We look forward to hearing from you!
