Microneedle-based vaccination has several advantages over vaccination by using conventional hypodermic needles.

In the literature, several types of microneedles have been extensively described. However, porous microneedle arrays only received minimal attention. Hence, only little is known about drug delivery via these microneedles. However, porous microneedle arrays may have potential for future microneedle-based…

Promotores: Prof.dr. J. A. Bouwstra, Prof.dr. W. Jiskoot

Promotor: A. Kros

Promotor: A. Kros, Co-promotor: R.R.C.L. Olsthoorn

The aim of this work was to study the applicability of antigen-coated pH-sensitive microneedle arrays for effective vaccination strategies. Therefore, a model antigen (ovalbumin) was coated onto pH-sensitive (pyridine-modified) microneedle arrays to test pH-triggered antigen release by applying the…

Exploring the mechanism of targeted nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery using the zebrafish model

This book describes the different approaches for drug delivery to the brain with an emphasis on the physiology of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the governing principles and concepts for drug delivery across the BBB

Promotor: A. Kros

This thesis describes the design, characterization and application of dextran based crosslinked network.

Promotor: E. Bouwman, Co-promotor: S. Bonnet

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of elasticity on the skin permeation of ketoprofen from surfactant-based vesicular formulations and elastic liposomes.

Currently, several successful vaccines are available. However, for pathogens with a highly variable genetic composition, and for which serum IgG antibodies are not a useful correlate of protection, effective vaccines are yet to be developed.

PhD Defence

PhD Defence

Is there a sufficiently large market for drug screening and testing in Zebrafish larvae using membrane fusion?

Promotores: Prof.dr. H. S. Overkleeft, Prof.dr. G. A. van der Marel

There are many complex links in the chain that provides patients with new drugs: from fundamental science, to clinical tests, to production. The entire chain can be found in Leiden. The University, the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and the businesses at the Leiden Bio Science Park (LBSP) work…

We aim to develop a drug-delivery method based on the production of biomolecules directly at the target site.

The Biologics Formulation Group is led by Prof. Wim Jiskoot. A major challenge in the formulation of biopharmaceuticals is to overcome their inherent instability during production, storage, transportation, handling and administration. We are studying underlying mechanisms of degradation of biopharmaceuticals…

Matthias Barz has been appointed full Professor of Biotherapeutics Delivery at the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR).

Metal-containing molecules combine geometrical features and a reactivity that are inherently different from that of organic molecules. My research focuses on light-activatable metal-based anticancer drugs and metal-functionalized liposomes. Light is a very selective way to activate photosensitive drugs…

Microneedles are needle-like structures long enough to pierce the upper layer of the skin (stratum corneum), that is a major barrier to intradermal drug delivery. Microneedles are also short enough to reduce the stimulation of nerves in the dermis and thus evading the generation of the pain sensatio…

In the near future oral polio vaccine (OPV) will be replaced by inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) as part of the eradication program of polio. For that reason, there is a need for substantial amount of safe and more affordable IPV for low-income countries. Bioneedles, which are biodegradable mini-implants,…

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting millions of people world-wide.

The master’s specialisation BioTherapeutics at Leiden University is a two-year programme which trains students in research in specific drug delivery techniques. The programme also examines the development of new therapeutic approaches to treat immune-based disorders, such as atherosclerosis, metabolic…

Main challenges in skin vaccination are overcoming the stratum corneum (SC) barrier and targeting the antigen presenting cells (APC) in the epidermis and the dermis.

The division of BioTherapeutics consists of the former divisions Biopharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Technology.

This thesis describes the development of improved formulations and alternative delivery strategies for polio vaccination.

Can drugs that target host signaling pathways be used to eradicate antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

Membrane fusion is a vital process in living organisms and is mediated by zipper-like proteins.

Animal Sciences’ contribution to the Bioactive Molecules research theme includes research on molecules from natural sources, such as plants, insects, and snake venom, with the aim to identify novel anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-diabetic agents.

Drug-related homicide (DRH) has the potential to act as a valuable indicator of wider drug-related crime. Yet DRH remains a knowledge gap within this broader field of study.

An overview of the research at the Biologics Formulation group

Chemical biology research at the Leiden Institute of Chemistry is aimed at understanding biological processes at the molecular level to strengthen the knowledge base of human health and disease. The approach to achieve this goal is a fundamental chemical one; with the aid of chemical probes biological…

The Delivery of Biotherapeutics research group is led by Prof. Matthias Barz and focusses on the synthesis and characterization of polypept(o)ids and their application in nanomedicine to improve existing therapies or enable novel diagnostic or therapeutic approaches.

Promotor: M. Danhof Co-promotor: O.E. Della Pasqua

The Skin Barrier and Vaccination group is led by Prof. Joke Bouwstra. One of the key functions of the skin is its barrier function, which is located in the uppermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum consists of enucleated dead cells (corneocytes) embedded in a lipid matrix.…

Plant Sciences' contribution to the Bioactive Molecules research theme is to identify new plant bioactive molecules, and unravel their mechanisms of action in plant development or health, and the regulatory networks and (bio)synthetic pathways required for their production.

This paper describes two synthetic lipid models designed to replace human stratum corneum (SC) in studies of the impact of volatile organic chemicals on the molecular organization of the skin barrier lipids.

Alexander Kros studies supramolecular systems in a biological environment. The unifying theme between the projects in my lab is specific molecular recognition, i.e. the intermolecular interaction between complementary molecules with high affinity and selectivity. Studying, imitating and dissecting processes…

Promotor: J. A. Bouwstra

Promotores: W. Jiskoot, F. Ossendorp

Vaccination via the skin or the mucosae

Is is possible to better predict the validity of drug candidates?

Drug-target binding kinetics determine the time course of the central event in pharmacotherapy: Drug-target interaction.