Localized cardiac ncRNA therapy via imaging-controlled magnetic nanoparticle delivery

• Applicants: Dr. Franziska Kenneweg; Dr.-Ing. Thilo Viereck
• Subject Area: Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology ; Cardiology, Angiology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 562795581

The proposed project aims to achieve a novel cardiac-specific drug delivery method with localized and controlled release of the drug. This approach utilizes a customized magnetic nanoparticle-based drug delivery agent (DDA) containing a thermo-cleavable linker and an attached drug payload (=LNA-21), which inhibits the pro-fibrotic miRNA-21. The release mechanism involves heating the nanoparticle with an alternating magnetic field, triggering the linker to release the drug. To ensure cardiac-specific release, a hardware device based on magnetic particle imaging (MPI) enabling 3D spatially localized magnetic heating is used, along with an optimized heating procedure to minimize heat exposure to the tissue. The project involves characterizing and validating the DDA, developing the hardware device, and testing efficacy and biocompatibility in an in vivo mouse model. This innovative approach aims to reduce dose and side effects in off-target organs, advancing drug delivery technology beyond current capabilities.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants