Lene Jørgensen
Lektor
E-mail: lej(at)farma.ku.dk
Telefon 35 33 63 69
Rum 13/418

 Adsorption of proteins to solid or oil-water interfaces
The increase in drug compounds based on macromolecules i.e. proteins are ever increasing but in many drug delivery systems interfaces occur. These interfaces can have a huge effect on the stability of the protein both during production but also in the final product, as proteins are prone to adsorb to these interfaces. This can cause alteration in the protein structure and ultimately loss of the pharmacological effect. The purpose of this project is to elucidate the basic mechanism of adsorption, how they are influenced by the choices of composition of the delivery system, e.g. modifications of protein structure, pH, salt concentration, preparation procedure, and addition of excipients. We will apply some of these analytical techniques: Total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence, surface tension, interface viscosity and many more. The adsorption measurements will be supported by studies on protein interactions in aqueous solution in order to investigate how potential excipients may influence the adsorption. In this project you will gain knowledge of basic protein formulation, effect from various excipients and experience with techniques to study adsorption and protein structure.
Supervisor: Lene Jørgensen

Effects from excipients on the adsorption of protein at oil-water interfaces
The increase in drug compounds based on macromolecules i.e. proteins are ever increasing but in many drug delivery systems interfaces occur. These interfaces can have a huge effect on the stability of the protein both during production but also in the final product, as proteins are prone to adsorb to these interfaces. This can cause alteration in the protein structure and ultimately loss of the pharmacological effect. The purpose of this project is to focus on the choices of composition of the delivery system and choice of excipients. We will apply some of these analytical techniques: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence, surface tension, interface viscosity and many more. In this project you will gain knowledge of basic protein formulation, effect from various excipients and experience with techniques to study adsorption and protein structure.
Supervisor: Lene Jørgensen and Stefania Baldursdottir

Emulsions as a model or as a drug delivery system?
What matters and why does it matter that proteins adsorb to interfaces such as an oil-water interface? In the preparation of particulate delivery systems an emulsion is often one of the steps, and therefore adsorption can be a stability issue. In this project we will examine different excipients e.g. surfactants, oils, and the composition of the phases in the emulsion, and their influence on the adsorption and physical stability of the protein. You will gain knowledge of lipid formulation, several advanced techniques to characterize protein stability and emulsion.
Supervisor: Lene Jørgensen

Physical stability of protein in lipid-based drug delivery systems
Most formulations containing proteins are simple solutions or freeze-dried products. In this project you will work with alternatives such as particulate systems. We will focus on the influence that interfaces has on the physical stability of the protein in emulsions or microspheres. So we will expose a protein to various types of stresses and interfaces and use advanced techniques to characterize the changes that we observed. As a part of the formulation study we will add different types of excipients and determine the effect they have on the protein stability or adsorption. In this project you will gain knowledge of basic protein formulation, effect from various types of stresses, interfaces and not least the effect excipients have on protein stability. You will get experience with techniques to study adsorption and protein structure.
Supervisor: Lene Jørgensen 

Peptide interaction with lipid bilayers
Membrane active peptides such as antimicrobial peptides or cell penetrating peptides are known to interact with lipid bilayers of bacterial or human cells. A mechanistic examination of the mechanism of interaction with these bilayers will give insight into important structural properties of the investigated peptide in relation to the surface adsorption. Using specialized techniques such as the total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF), it is possible to study this interaction in detail.
Supervisors: Hanne Mørck Nielsen / Lene Jørgensen. PhD student associated with the project

Master thesis in New Zealand?
A possibility would also be to do your Master Thesis in Dunedin, New Zealand at University of Otago, School of Pharmacy. The project would be in the area of protein formulation and the time could be part spend at FARMA and part in New Zealand, depending on the requirements of the project and your wishes.
Supervisor: Lene Jørgensen (FARMA) and Natalie Medlicott (School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand)