Mimicking viral entry mechanisms with polymeric nanoparticles (D01*)

• Subject Area: Pharmacology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 316213987

We will create a toolbox for the preparation of drug loaded virus-like nanoparticles with the potential of an easy adoption to different viruses. The aim is to deliver the antiviral drugs specifically into potentially virus-infected cells and tissue and to fight future pandemic incidences fast and efficiently. We will use spike proteins as targeting moiety on the virus-like nanoparticles and compare their uptake mechanism to wild-type and non-infectious virus-like particles, both for human SARS-CoV-2 in cell systems and murine hepatitis coronavirus in organisms.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1278: Polymer-based nanoparticle libraries for targeted anti-inflammatory strategies
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Michael Bauer; Professor Dr. Christian Eggeling; Professor Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert