As part of team building and the creation of a trans-European research training network, I embarked on a month journey as a visiting researcher to the Fraunhofer Institute of Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB), Stuttgart Germany.
My role as ESR 13 in fulfilling the common goal of the Bio2Brain network is to develop an in situ gelling hyaluronic acid based mucoadhesive hydrogel to be used as therapy for the treatment of central nervous system-related ailments. Part of the steps in the development of this medical device is the encapsulation of nano/microparticles conjugated to monoclonal antibodies into hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels. Therefore, in understanding the characteristics of the particles, this secondment was carried out.
During my stay in the lab of Dr. Carmen Gruber-Traub, I received training in the synthesis of particles and its characterization using techniques such as optical microscopy and static light scattering.
I am highly indebted to the lab leader Dr. Gruber-Traub and my fellow ESR’s for making my stay in Stuttgart a productive and memorable one.