Holger Grüll

Bio: Holger Grüll is an academic researcher from University of Cologne. The author has contributed to research in topics: Drug delivery & High-intensity focused ultrasound. The author has an hindex of 30, co-authored 96 publications receiving 3495 citations. Previous affiliations of Holger Grüll include Philips & Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

A temperature-sensitive liposomal 1H CEST and 19F contrast agent for MR image-guided drug delivery.

Abstract: A novel temperature-sensitive liposomal MRI contrast agent has been developed, which allows drug carrier localization using 1H CEST with simultaneous quantification of the drug release using 19F MR imaging in response to a local temperature increase.

Heating technology for malignant tumors: a review

Abstract: The therapeutic application of heat is very effective in cancer treatment Both hyperthermia, ie, heating to 39-45 °C to induce sensitization to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and thermal ablation, where temperatures beyond 50 °C destroy tumor cells directly are frequently applied in the clinic Achievement of an effective treatment requires high quality heating equipment, precise thermal dosimetry, and adequate quality assurance Several types of devices, antennas and heating or power delivery systems have been proposed and developed in recent decades These vary considerably in technique, heating depth, ability to focus, and in the size of the heating focus Clinically used heating techniques involve electromagnetic and ultrasonic heating, hyperthermic perfusion and conductive heating Depending on clinical objectives and available technology, thermal therapies can be subdivided into three broad categories: local, locoregional, or whole body heating Clinically used local heating techniques include interstitial hyperthermia and ablation, high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), scanned focused ultrasound (SFUS), electroporation, nanoparticle heating, intraluminal heating and superficial heating Locoregional heating techniques include phased array systems, capacitive systems and isolated perfusion Whole body techniques focus on prevention of heat loss supplemented with energy deposition in the body, eg, by infrared radiation This review presents an overview of clinical hyperthermia and ablation devices used for local, locoregional, and whole body therapy Proven and experimental clinical applications of thermal ablation and hyperthermia are listed Methods for temperature measurement and the role of treatment planning to control treatments are discussed briefly, as well as future perspectives for heating technology for the treatment of tumors

What do we need for a superhydrophobic surface? A review on the recent progress in the preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces

Abstract: Superhydrophobic surfaces have drawn a lot of interest both in academia and in industry because of the self-cleaning properties. This critical review focuses on the recent progress (within the last three years) in the preparation, theoretical modeling, and applications of superhydrophobic surfaces. The preparation approaches are reviewed according to categorized approaches such as bottom-up, top-down, and combination approaches. The advantages and limitations of each strategy are summarized and compared. Progress in theoretical modeling of surface design and wettability behavior focuses on the transition state of superhydrophobic surfaces and the role of the roughness factor. Finally, the problems/obstacles related to applicability of superhydrophobic surfaces in real life are addressed. This review should be of interest to students and scientists interested specifically in superhydrophobic surfaces but also to scientists and industries focused in material chemistry in general.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles in biomedical applications

Abstract: This tutorial review provides an outlook on nanomaterials that are currently being used for theranostic purposes, with a special focus on mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSNP) based materials. MSNPs with large surface area and pore volume can serve as efficient carriers for various therapeutic agents. The functionalization of MSNPs with molecular, supramolecular or polymer moieties, provides the material with great versatility while performing drug delivery tasks, which makes the delivery process highly controllable. This emerging area at the interface of chemistry and the life sciences offers a broad palette of opportunities for researchers with interests ranging from sol–gel science, the fabrication of nanomaterials, supramolecular chemistry, controllable drug delivery and targeted theranostics in biology and medicine.

Multifunctional nanoparticles for multimodal imaging and theragnosis

Abstract: Nanomedicine is the biomedical application of nanoscale materials for diagnosis and therapy of disease. Recent advances in nanotechnology and biotechnology have contributed to the development of multifunctional nanoparticles as representative nanomedicine. They were initially developed to enable the target-specific delivery of imaging or therapeutic agents for biomedical applications. Due to their unique features including multifunctionality, large surface area, structural diversity, and long circulation time in blood compared to small molecules, nanoparticles have emerged as attractive preferences for optimized therapy through personalized medicine. Multimodal imaging and theragnosis are the cutting-edge technologies where the advantages of nanoparticles are maximized. Because each imaging modality has its pros and cons, the integration of several imaging agents with different properties into multifunctional nanoparticles allows precise and fast diagnosis of disease through synergetic multimodal imaging. Moreover, nanoparticles are not only used for molecular imaging but also applied to deliver therapeutic agents to the disease site in order to accomplish the simultaneous imaging and therapy called theragnosis. This tutorial review will highlight the recent advances in the development of multifunctional nanoparticles and their biomedical applications to multimodal imaging and theragnosis as nanomedicine.

Multifunctional, stimuli-sensitive nanoparticulate systems for drug delivery

Abstract: The use of nanoparticulate pharmaceutical drug delivery systems (NDDSs) to enhance the in vivo effectiveness of drugs is now well established. The development of multifunctional and stimulus-sensitive NDDSs is an active area of current research. Such NDDSs can have long circulation times, target the site of the disease and enhance the intracellular delivery of a drug. This type of NDDS can also respond to local stimuli that are characteristic of the pathological site by, for example, releasing an entrapped drug or shedding a protective coating, thus facilitating the interaction between drug-loaded nanocarriers and target cells or tissues. In addition, imaging contrast moieties can be attached to these carriers to track their real-time biodistribution and accumulation in target cells or tissues. Here, I highlight recent developments with multifunctional and stimuli-sensitive NDDSs and their therapeutic potential for diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and infectious diseases.