Macromolecular Engineering LaboratoryOpen OpportunitiesThis project aims to leverage machine learning to accelerate the design of polymer-based drug delivery systems with tailored release kinetics. Using a curated dataset of polymer formulations and their drug release profiles, predictive models will be developed, validated, and applied to optimize future formulations. By combining computational tools with explainable AI techniques, the project seeks to uncover key design principles and reduce experimental workloads. The outcome will enable smarter, data-driven reformulation processes, advancing personalized medicine and next-generation drug delivery technologies. - Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Industrial Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Interdisciplinary Engineering, Macromolecular Chemistry, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Internship, Semester Project
| Project Summary
We’re developing a powerful new in vitro model to untangle the complex mechanical cues—osmotic pressure and substrate stiffness—that skin cells experience every day. These signals are deeply intertwined in the body, but we’re building a system to decouple and precisely control them, for the first time. Why? Because understanding how cells respond to these forces is crucial for engineering functional tissues, guiding organ regeneration, and tackling mechanobiology-driven diseases like fibrosis.
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Biomaterials, Diagnostic Applications
- Master Thesis
| Introduction and Background
Skin cells dynamically respond to mechanical and biochemical stimuli, which influence critical processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and migration. By understanding this interplay, mechanical and biochemical stimuli may be used in the future to facilitate the growth of skin patches, tissue formation, and organ regeneration, enabling new therapies and benefiting patients. The study of these responses, mechanobiology, requires advanced in-vitro systems to emulate physiological conditions. This project utilizes a device designed for controlled manipulation of hydrostatic pressure (0.1–1.5 kPa) and substrate stiffness (0.1–100 kPa). The system facilitates isolated and scalable experiments to analyze how the interplay of these mechanical parameters affects cell behavior. In this thesis, the student will use this system to investigate how different stimuli affect cell behavior.
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Polymers
- Master Thesis
| Plastic waste and the resulting environmental pollution are major challenges of our time. One of the problems is the mismatch of degradability and durability in plastics. Single use plastics like packaging material should be easy to degrade to facilitate recycling after use. However, these single use plastics are often very stable and hard to recycle. Performance plastics need to last during their lifetime without significant decrease in material properties, but aging in these materials eventually leads to material failure and replacement. Both situations generate plastic waste. Therefore, we want to synthesize a material that can degrade on-demand and experiences enhanced durability on longer timescales to satisfy the needs of single use plastics and performance plastics, respectively. - Analytical Spectrometry, Characterisation of Macromolecules, Chemical Engineering, Mechanisms of Reactions, Organic Chemical Synthesis, Polymerisation Mechanisms, Supramolecular Chemistry, Synthesis of Macromolecules
- Master Thesis, Semester Project
| 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. - Biology, Chemistry, Medical and Health Sciences
- Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Chronic wound care is hindered by the complex and variable proteomic profiles of wound exudates, which limit the efficacy of existing therapies. We aim to validate the effectiveness of our granular hydrogel platform in restoring balance to the wound microenvironment. Utilizing exudates obtained from diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) patients, we will optimize our microgel library to target clinically relevant cytokine profiles. - Biology, Chemistry, Engineering and Technology, Medical and Health Sciences
- Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Living materials, as an emerging field that combines biology and material science, are materials composed of immobilized living organisms and a carrier matrix providing pre-determined bio-functionality. [1,2] Living materials bring about new properties that are not easily realised by conventional materials. Here, we aim to design a new type of living materials that can sequester and store atmospheric CO2 irreversibly in the form of calcium carbonate minerals. - Engineering and Technology
- Bachelor Thesis, ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis
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