Benzel, Julia
Post doc
DKFZ, KiTZ
Paediatric Neurooncology
Our focus is the analysis of system and CNS drug disposition. I have established cerebral microdialysis in our laboratory in order to investigate unbound drug concentrations in healthy brain or tumour tissue in freely moving animals. We are using PDX and electroporation based models to test BBB/BTB penetration,e.g. in low-/high-grade glioma/ependymoma. These analyses are paired with pharmacokinetic explorations, efficacy and toxicity testing as well as with temptations to improve drug delivery,e.g. through concomitant P-gp-inhibition or packing (liposomes).
Existing collaborations relevant to drug delivery
Prof. Haefeli, Dr. Uhl, Dr. Sauter, Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany – Liposomal packaging of drugs
Prof. Clinton Stewart, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, USA
Prof. Anang Shelat, Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, USA
Prof. Amar Gajjar, Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, USA
Publications relevant to drug delivery
Fresnais M, Muck A, Majewsky M, et al. Rapid and Sensitive Drug Quantification in Tissue Sections Using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Profiling. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom. 2020.
Grants: UNITE, SFB 1389, Understanding and targeting resistance in glioblastoma, German Research Foundation
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