The Section of Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine develops and applies iron oxide nanoparticles in Oncology, Cardiovascular diseases, Regenerative Medicine and infectious diseases. Furthermore artificial intelligence based procedures including robotics are performed in vitro and in vivo.
Research projects
Nanomedicine
Oncology
Cardiovascular diseases
Infectious diseases
Artifical Intelligence
Robotics
Current projects
Development of Tumor Models for MC based on Additive Manufacturing Approaches
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)
Overall project: GRK 2950: Synthetic Molecular Communication Across Different Scales: From Theory to ExperimentsProject leader: Dietmar Drummer Term: 1. June 2024 - 31. May 2029Acronym: GRK 2950 P6Funding source: DFG / Graduiertenkolleg (GRK)
Lumped-Parameter Models for and Optimization of SPION Steering in Highly Branched Vascular and Tissue Structures
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)
Overall project: GRK 2950: Synthetic Molecular Communication Across Different Scales: From Theory to Experiments
Project leader: Jens Kirchner Term: 1. June 2024 - 31. May 2029
Acronym: GRK 2950 P5
Funding source: DFG / Graduiertenkolleg (GRK)
URL: https://www.symocads.research.fau.eu/
The goal of this project is to establish MC-based models and algorithms for optimization of SPION steering systems in highly branched vascular and tissue structures. To this end, a comprehensive numerical model for the MC channel relevant for SPION steering will be derived. Furthermore, in order to enable efficient optimization of the SPION steering system at affordable computational cost, a lumped-parameter approach will be used to develop approximate models. Based on these approximate models, given a certain vessel topology and tissue structure, algorithms for maximization of the number of particles delivered to a target area (representing the MC receiver) will be investigated, where both static and dynamic (time-varying) steering systems will be considered. The findings of P4 P4 P6
Forces, Limitations, and Concepts for SPION Steering
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)
Overall project: GRK 2950: Synthetic Molecular Communication Across Different Scales: From Theory to ExperimentsProject leader: Georg Fischer Term: 1. June 2024 - 31. May 2029Acronym: GRK 2950 P4Funding source: DFG / Graduiertenkolleg (GRK)
In our suproject we are studying new techniques for steering SPIONs (Super Paramagnetic Ion Oxides Nanoparticles) towards a target region by using specially shaped magnetic gradient fields.
Synthetic Molecular Communications Across Different Scales: From Theory to Experiments
(Third Party Funds Group – Overall project)
Project leader: Robert Schober ,
Kathrin Castiglione ,
Andrea Büttner ,
Dietmar Drummer ,
Georg Fischer ,
Heinrich Sticht ,
Christoph Alexiou ,
Helene Loos ,
Vahid Jamali Kooshkghazi ,
Jens Kirchner Term: 1. June 2024 - 31. May 2029
Acronym: SyMoCADS
Funding source: DFG / Graduiertenkolleg (GRK)
URL: https://www.symocads.research.fau.eu/
https://www.idc.tf.fau.de/neues-graduiertenkolleg-symocads/
Recent publications
2026
Alexiou, C., & Fadeel, B. (2026). Editorial: Nanomedicine – From bench to bedside . Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2026.153417
Heinen, L., Simonis, A., Rybniker, J., Günther, J., Vogel, P., Janko, C.,... Tietze, R. (2026). Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Whole Blood using a portable Magnetic Particle Spectrometer-a feasibility study . International Journal of Magnetic Particle Imaging , 12 (1). https://doi.org/10.18416/ijmpi.2026.2603014
Pointner, A., Thalheim, D., Belasi, S., Heinen, L., Carnell, L., Janko, C.,... Nagy, R. (2026). A Compact Incubation Platform for Long-Term Cultivation of Biological Samples for Nitrogen-Vacancy Center Widefield Microscopy . Advanced Materials . https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.70949
Spielvogel, H., Schreiber, E., Siegert, T., & Alexiou, C. (2026). GMP-compliant batch manufacturing of dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles: A process development case study . Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications , 805 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2026.153336
Tietze, R., Heinen, L., Lyer, S., & Alexiou, C. (2026). Design considerations and approaches for clinically approvable MPS/MPI SPIONs-the SEON concept- . International Journal of Magnetic Particle Imaging , 12 (1). https://doi.org/10.18416/ijmpi.2026.2603035
2025
Blersch, P.-R., Hoyer, T., Alexiou, C., Heindl, L.M., Gostian, A.-O., & Lyer, S. (2025). Exploring the Interplay Between Hyperthermia and Cytotoxic Drugs in Ocular Melanoma Cell Lines: Implications and Variability in Treatment Efficiency . Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science , 66 (12). https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.66.12.71
2024
Adler, M.-Y., Issoual, I., Rückert, M., Deloch, L., Meier, C., Tschernig, T.,... Paulsen, F. (2024). Effect of micro- and nanoplastic particles on human macrophages . Journal of Hazardous Materials , 471 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134253
Huber, C., Pavan, T.Z., Ullmann, I., Heim, C., Rupitsch, S.J., Vossiek, M.,... Lyer, S. (2024). A Review on Ultrasound-based Methods to Image the Distribution of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications . Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2024.10.007
Kurtuldu, F., Mutlu, N., Friedrich, R.P., Beltrán, A.M., Liverani, L., Detsch, R.,... Boccaccini, A.R. (2024). Gallium-containing mesoporous nanoparticles influence in-vitro osteogenic and osteoclastic activity . Biomaterials Advances , 162 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213922
Mickoleit, F., Pfister, F., Friedrich, B., Markert, S., Kerpes, A., Janko, C.,... Tietze, R. (2024). Assessing Cytotoxicity, Endotoxicity, and Blood Compatibility of Nanoscale Iron Oxide Magnetosomes for Biomedical Applications . ACS Applied Nano Materials , 7 (1), 1278-1288. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.3c05248
Sekita, A., Unterweger, H., Berg, S., Ohlmeyer, S., Bäuerle, T., Zheng, K.H.,... Cicha, I. (2024). Accumulation of Iron Oxide-Based Contrast Agents in Rabbit Atherosclerotic Plaques in Relation to Plaque Age and Vulnerability Features . International Journal of Nanomedicine , 19 , 1645-1666. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S430693
2023
Friedrich, B., Tietze, R., Rückert, M.A., Kampf, T., Hennig, T., Dölken, L.,... Lyer, S. (2023). Fast detection of SARS-CoV2 Antibodies by the use of critical off-set magnetic particle spectroscopy (COMPASS) . International Journal of Magnetic Particle Imaging , 9 . https://doi.org/10.18416/IJMPI.2023.2303063
Friedrich, B., Vogel, P., Rückert, M.A., Lyer, S., Günther, J., Wernery, U.,... Tietze, R. (2023). Detection of viral antibodies in camel sera using magnetic particle spectroscopy . Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology . https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-023-12513-4
Genc, H., Cianciosi, A., Lohse, R., Stahlhut, P., Groll, J., Alexiou, C.,... Juengst, T. (2023). Adjusting Degree of Modification and Composition of gelAGE-Based Hydrogels Improves Long-Term Survival and Function of Primary Human Fibroblasts and Endothelial Cells in 3D Cultures . Biomacromolecules . https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01536
Genc, H., Friedrich, B., Alexiou, C., Pietryga, K., Cicha, I., & Douglas, T.E. (2023). Endothelialization of Whey Protein Isolate-Based Scaffolds for Tissue Regeneration . Molecules , 28 (20). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28207052
Klemt, I., Varzatskii, O., Selin, R., Vakarov, S., Kovalska, V.B., Bila, G.,... Mokhir, A. (2023). 3D-Shaped Binders of Unfolded Proteins Inducing Cancer Cell-Specific Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress In Vitro and In Vivo . Journal of the American Chemical Society , 22252–22264. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.3c08827
Lotter, S., Brand, L., Jamali, V., Schäfer, M., Loos, H., Unterweger, H.,... Schober, R. (2023). Experimental Research in Synthetic Molecular Communications - Part I . IEEE Nanotechnology Magazine , 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1109/MNANO.2023.3262100
Lotter, S., Brand, L., Jamali, V., Schäfer, M., Loos, H.M., Unterweger, H.,... Schober, R. (2023). Experimental Research in Synthetic Molecular Communications - Part II . IEEE Nanotechnology Magazine , 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1109/MNANO.2023.3262377
Lyer, S., Blersch, P.-R., Huber, C., Tietze, R., & Alexiou, C. (2023). Digitalization and (Nano)robotics in nanomedicine . In Ralf Huss (Eds.), Digital Medicine: Bringing Digital Solutions to Medical Practice. New York: Jenny Stanford Publishing.
Pfister, F., Alexiou, C., & Janko, C. (2023). Cell Viability and Immunogenic Function of T Cells Loaded with Nanoparticles for Spatial Guidance in Magnetic Fields . In (pp. 331-346). Humana Press Inc..
Pfister, F., Dörrie, J., Schaft, N., Buchele, V., Unterweger, H., Carnell, L.R.,... Janko, C. (2023). Human T cells loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles retain antigen-specific TCR functionality. Frontiers in Immunology , 14 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1223695
Unterweger, H., Janko, C., Folk, T., Cicha, I., Kovacs, N., Gyebnar, G.,... Lyer, S. (2023). Comparative in vitro and in vivo Evaluation of Different Iron Oxide-Based Contrast Agents to Promote Clinical Translation in Compliance with Patient Safety . International Journal of Nanomedicine , 18 , 2071-2086. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S402320
Wirthl, B., Janko, C., Lyer, S., Schrefler, B.A., Alexiou, C., & Wall, W.A. (2023). An in silico model of the capturing of magnetic nanoparticles in tumour spheroids in the presence of flow . Biomedical Microdevices , 26 (1), 1-. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10544-023-00685-9
Zschiesche, L., Janko, C., Friedrich, B., Frey, B., Band, J., Lyer, S.,... Unterweger, H. (2023). Biocompatibility of Dextran-Coated 30 nm and 80 nm Sized SPIONs towards Monocytes, Dendritic Cells and Lymphocytes . Nanomaterials , 13 (1). https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13010014
2022
Alexiou, C. (2022). Emerging applications of magnetic nanoparticles in medicine – A personal perspective . Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications , 633 , 52-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.09.020
Fauck, V., Schinz, K., Alexiou, C., Mantsopoulos, K., Iro, H., & Müller, S.K. (2022). Abscesstonsillectomy: Uni- or bilateral? Laryngo-Rhino-Otologie . https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1841-6419
Friedrich, B., Eichermüller, J., Bogdan, C., Cunningham, S., Hackstein, H., Strauss, R.,... Tietze, R. (2022). Biomimetic Magnetic Particles for the Removal of Gram-Positive Bacteria and Lipoteichoic Acid. Pharmaceutics , 14 (11). https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14112356
Gill, D., Lyer, S., Alexiou, C., Fried, F., Buder, T., Neuhuber, W.,... Arkudas, A. (2022). Anatomical study of all carpal and adjoining bones of the wrist using 3D CT reconstruction –Finding the ultimate biomechanical theory . Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger , 242 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aanat.2022.151909
Holler, A., Cicha, I., Eckstein, M., Haderlein, M., Poettler, M., Rappl, A.,... Alexiou, C. (2022). Extramedullary plasmacytoma: Tumor occurrence and therapeutic concepts-A follow-up . Cancer Medicine . https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.4816
Ryma, M., Genc, H., Nadernezhad, A., Paulus, I., Schneidereit, D., Friedrich, O.,... Groll, J. (2022). A Print-and-Fuse Strategy for Sacrificial Filaments Enables Biomimetically Structured Perfusable Microvascular Networks with Functional Endothelium Inside 3D Hydrogels . Advanced Materials . https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202200653
Vogel, P., Rückert, M.A., Friedrich, B., Tietze, R., Lyer, S., Kampf, T.,... Behr, V.C. (2022). Critical Offset Magnetic PArticle SpectroScopy for rapid and highly sensitive medical point-of-care diagnostics . Nature Communications , 13 (1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-34941-y
2021
Balk, M., Haus, T., Band, J., Unterweger, H., Schreiber, E., Friedrich, R.P.,... Gostian, A.O. (2021). Cellular spion uptake and toxicity in various head and neck cancer cell lines . Nanomaterials , 11 (3), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11030726
Blumler, P., Friedrich, R.P., Pereira, J., Baun, O., Alexiou, C., & Mailander, V. (2021). Contactless Nanoparticle-Based Guiding of Cells by Controllable Magnetic Fields. Nanotechnology, Science and Applications , 14 , 91-100. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSA.S298003
Boosz, P., Pfister, F., Stein, R., Friedrich, B., Fester, L., Band, J.,... Janko, C. (2021). Citrate-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles enable a stable non-spilling loading of t cells and their magnetic accumulation . Cancers , 13 (16). https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13164143
Cicha, I., & Alexiou, C. (2021). Cardiovascular applications of magnetic particles . Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials , 518 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2020.167428
Friedrich, B., Auger, J.-P., Dutz, S., Cicha, I., Schreiber, E., Band, J.,... Tietze, R. (2021). Hydroxyapatite-Coated SPIONs and Their Influence on Cytokine Release . International Journal of Molecular Sciences , 22 (8). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22084143
Genc, H., Hazur, J., Karakaya, E., Dietel, B., Bider, F., Groll, J.,... Cicha, I. (2021). Differential responses to bioink‐induced oxidative stress in endothelial cells and fibroblasts . International Journal of Molecular Sciences , 22 (5), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052358
Wicke, W., Unterweger, H., Kirchner, J., Brand, L., Ahmadzadeh, A., Ahmed, D.,... Schober, R. (2021). Experimental System for Molecular Communication in Pipe Flow With Magnetic Nanoparticles . IEEE Transactions on Molecular, Biological and Multi-Scale Communications . https://doi.org/10.1109/TMBMC.2021.3099399
Xu, H., Schikora, M., Sisa, M., Daum, S., Klemt, I., Janko, C.,... Mokhir, A. (2021). An Endoplasmic Reticulum Specific Pro-amplifier of Reactive Oxygen Species in Cancer Cells . Angewandte Chemie International Edition . https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202100054
2020
Bartunik, M., Unterweger, H., Alexiou, C., Schober, R., Lübke, M., Fischer, G., & Kirchner, J. (2020). Comparative Evaluation of a New Sensor for Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in a Molecular Communication Setting . In Springer International Publishing (Eds.), Proceedings of the EAI BICT 2020 - 12th EAI International Conference on Bio-inspired Information and Communications Technologies (pp. 303-316). Online.
Fadeel, B., & Alexiou, C. (2020). Brave new world revisited: Focus on nanomedicine . Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.08.046
Podolska, M., Barras, A., Alexiou, C., Frey, B., Gaipl, U., Boukherroub, R.,... Munoz, L.E. (2020). Graphene Oxide Nanosheets for Localized Hyperthermia-Physicochemical Characterization, Biocompatibility, and Induction of Tumor Cell Death . Cells , 9 (3). https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9030776
Zeh, G., Haines, P., Miehlich, M., Kienz, T., Neidlinger, A., Friedrich, R.P.,... Mokhir, A. (2020). Anticancer Effect of an Electronically Coupled Oligoferrocene . Organometallics . https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.organomet.0c00306
Related Research Fields
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The Section of Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine develops and applies iron oxide nanoparticles in Oncology, Cardiovascular diseases, Regenerative Medicine and infectious diseases. Furthermore artificial intelligence based procedures including robotics are performed in vitro and in vivo.
Research projects
Development of Tumor Models for MC based on Additive Manufacturing Approaches
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)
Project leader: Dietmar Drummer
Term: 1. June 2024 - 31. May 2029
Acronym: GRK 2950 P6
Funding source: DFG / Graduiertenkolleg (GRK)
Lumped-Parameter Models for and Optimization of SPION Steering in Highly Branched Vascular and Tissue Structures
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)
Project leader: Jens Kirchner
Term: 1. June 2024 - 31. May 2029
Acronym: GRK 2950 P5
Funding source: DFG / Graduiertenkolleg (GRK)
URL: https://www.symocads.research.fau.eu/
The goal of this project is to establish MC-based models and algorithms for optimization of SPION steering systems in highly branched vascular and tissue structures. To this end, a comprehensive numerical model for the MC channel relevant for SPION steering will be derived. Furthermore, in order to enable efficient optimization of the SPION steering system at affordable computational cost, a lumped-parameter approach will be used to develop approximate models. Based on these approximate models, given a certain vessel topology and tissue structure, algorithms for maximization of the number of particles delivered to a target area (representing the MC receiver) will be investigated, where both static and dynamic (time-varying) steering systems will be considered. The findings of P4 regarding the forces relevant for SPION steering will be integrated for development of the proposed comprehensive and approximate MC channel models as they become available. Furthermore, besides conventional electromagnets, the linear array structures investigated in P4 will be considered for steering algorithm design. Moreover, the developed MC channel models and steering algorithms will be experimentally validated and refined exploiting the physical tumor models provided by P6.
Forces, Limitations, and Concepts for SPION Steering
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)
Project leader: Georg Fischer
Term: 1. June 2024 - 31. May 2029
Acronym: GRK 2950 P4
Funding source: DFG / Graduiertenkolleg (GRK)
In our suproject we are studying new techniques for steering SPIONs (Super Paramagnetic Ion Oxides Nanoparticles) towards a target region by using specially shaped magnetic gradient fields.
Synthetic Molecular Communications Across Different Scales: From Theory to Experiments
(Third Party Funds Group – Overall project)
Term: 1. June 2024 - 31. May 2029
Acronym: SyMoCADS
Funding source: DFG / Graduiertenkolleg (GRK)
URL: https://www.symocads.research.fau.eu/
https://www.idc.tf.fau.de/neues-graduiertenkolleg-symocads/
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
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