The image schematically shows the process of targeted drug release. Nanoparticles or liposomes loaded with drugs move through a blood vessel and bind to specific markers on the surface of a cancer cell. An enlarged section shows how the particles release the drug, which penetrates the cell and triggers apoptosis. Healthy cells remain unaffected, which illustrates the selectivity of the system. Design: created with ChatGPT.

Further fields of peptide research

Our approaches include:

Investigation of drug stability
Development of chemical modifications
Use of drug delivery tools, in cooperation with Sandro Keller (Biophysics, IMB, KFU) and Sebastian Schwaminger (Medicinal Chemistry, ZMB, MUG)

The intravenous administration of the developed peptide-based drugs, in order to target metastases or hard-to-reach tumors, represents a significant challenge that we aim to overcome using established and novel technologies.

Recombinant peptide synthesis

We use recombinant expression systems:

E. coli, in co-operation with Birgit Wiltschi (BOKU Vienna)
Further systems, prospective cooperation with Anita Emmerstorfer-Augustin (ACIB Graz)

Chemical peptide synthesis is expensive, which is why we are trying to use new technologies in cooperation with specialised working groups and companies to achieve cheap, innovative and resource-saving peptide synthesis. The recombinant synthesis of fusion peptides is also intended to achieve new targets on cancer cells, apart from the targets in the main focus (such as PS).

Publications:

Pasupuleti et al, 2023, doi: 10.1002/pro.4830.