Objects with a width exceeding 30 centimeters
In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have created micro-cavities from mucus and polydopamine, paving the way for biocompatible, functional structures that could revolutionise biomedicine.
The project, led by Professor Oliver Lieleg from the TUM School of Engineering and Design, was conducted at the TUM Center for Functional Protein Assemblies (CPA) and the Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (MIBE) of TUM. The research was published in the journal Small (2025) with the DOI 10.1002/smll.202503238.
Mucin, a component of mucus, plays a crucial role in the micro-cavities' design. Its unique properties allow for better adjustment of pore sizes and act as a natural lubricant, ensuring easy production, loading, and sealing of the micro-cavities. The good adhesion of the micro-cavities to soft tissue and cartilage is mainly due to polydopamine.
These micro-cavities are designed for use as drug packaging, particularly in joints and on the oral mucosa. The surface of the micro-cavities is porous, allowing for the active ingredient to penetrate, and they can be sealed with various materials, such as silver ions. The rate of active ingredient release is influenced by both the sealing material and the biological environment.
The mode of action of the micro-cavities can be either destructive (with silver ions) or protective (without silver ions). This versatility makes them ideal for a wide range of applications in drug delivery systems and medical diagnostics.
The TUM, with its commitment to innovation and real-world impact, acts as an entrepreneurial university. It is one of the world's leading research and education institutions, with around 700 professors, 53,000 students, and 12,000 employees. With a global presence, TUM has a campus in Singapore and offices in Brussels, Mumbai, Peking, San Francisco, and São Paulo.
For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Oliver Lieleg at [email protected]. For press inquiries, please contact the TUM Corporate Communications Center at [email protected] or Tel. +49 89 289 10808.
The research for this study was conducted by Di Fan, Chiara Gunnella, Yukun Wang, Luca Reichert, Pedro Henrique da Rosa Braun, Jan Torgersen, and Oliver Lieleg. The team's collaborative efforts at the MIBE, where researchers from various disciplines work together to develop and improve methods for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, have led to this significant breakthrough.
