Master's Thesis: Surface Modification of Membranes for Cell-Based Alzheimer's Therapy

This Master’s thesis addresses the question of how phagocytic cells (e.g., microglia) can be utilized for innovative therapeutic approaches to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Microglia possess highly developed defense and clearance mechanisms, enabling them to identify and remove damaged structures, degradation products, and other unwanted particles. They play a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.

 

The aim is to culture these “cleansing” cells on specialized membranes in order to improve extracorporeal blood purification processes in the future. For this purpose, polymer membranes (e.g., polysulfone and cellulose) will be specifically surface-modified using plasma technology and biomaterial-based coatings. The modified surfaces are intended to optimize cell adhesion and function, creating ideal conditions for the cultivation of microglial cells. In this way, the project contributes to the development of cell-based therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.

 

Within the scope of the thesis project, the following steps are planned:

 

• Literature research and selection of suitable surface modification approaches using various physical plasma techniques and process parameters
• Implementation of surface modification on PES membranes
• Characterization of surface-modified membranes (e.g., contact angle measurements, IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) at IBMT (University Medicine Rostock)
• Seeding of membranes with cells and establishment of cell cultures at Fraunhofer IZI (Department EXTHER)
• Analysis of cell viability and colonization success, as well as investigation of cell functionality (e.g., resazurin assay, fluorescence microscopy, ELISA, scanning electron microscopy)
• Evaluation, interpretation, and documentation of results