Hearing impairments pose a significant medical challenge. One potential local treatment strategy is intratympanic therapy, in which active ingredients are delivered near the inner ear. However, the targeted release and distribution of active ingredients within the cochlea remains challenging. Magnetic nanocarriers offer a promising approach to this problem as they can be used to carry drugs, can be characterized and, in the future, can be controlled by magnetic fields.

Possible start date: 01.10.2026

Core data

Research objective

The aim of this Master's thesis is to experimentally develop and investigate various magnetic nanocarriers for drug delivery to the inner ear.

Research method

Methodologically, the work includes wet chemical experiments, cell culture, cell viability assays and particle characterization using DLS, zeta potential and MPS.

Comment

The following work packages will be addressed:

• A literature review of potentially suitable nanocarriers, active ingredients and release mechanisms
• Loading different carrier systems and analyzing their drug release mechanisms, e.g. passive diffusion, thermosensitive release at body temperature or hyperthermia-induced release.
• Degradation or modification of the particles following drug delivery
• Investigation of efficacy and drug release in a simple cell model
• Optional: magnetic field-based control in collaboration with another thesis.