Laboratory of Dermal and Transdermal Drug Delivery

Group Focus

We have a long-standing commitment to the development and evaluation of modern dermal and transdermal drug delivery systems. Our goal is to effectively overcome the skin barrier and ensure targeted drug delivery right where it is needed most. We design safer, more efficient topical application strategies for modern medicine.
We bridge the gap between advanced formulation development and in-depth molecular studies — from the fundamental structure of the stratum corneum to the release and penetration kinetics of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Main Research Areas

• Targeted Therapy for Skin Diseases
  Development and optimization of therapeutics for inflammatory, neoplastic, and infectious skin diseases, aimed at maximizing local efficacy while minimizing systemic side effects.
• Structure-Formulation-Efficacy Relationships
  Investigation of formulation microstructure, skin interactions, and drug release mechanisms. Research into enhancing skin absorption through chemical penetration enhancers and physical methods (e.g., microneedles).
• Skin Barrier Structure and Function
  Molecular-level studies of the skin barrier, including mechanisms of barrier disruption and recovery. Development and application of in vitro membrane models mimicking the stratum corneum lipid matrix and skin barrier formation.

Methodologies & Technological Capabilities

Formulation Development

• Liquid and semi-solid dosage forms
• Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems (lipid and polymeric nanoparticles, vesicular systems, nanocrystals)
• Absorption enhancement strategies (chemical penetration enhancers, microneedles)
• Development of artificial lipid membranes and their biophysical characterization

Characterization, Analytical, and Testing Methods

• Analytical Methods: HPLC/UV/VIS, LC/MS
• Spectroscopic Methods: FTIR (Infrared) and Raman spectroscopy
• Structural & Physical Analysis: X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS)

Release & Permeation Testing:

• IVRT (In Vitro Release Testing)
• Ex vivo penetration and permeation studies on skin models
• Skin barrier integrity assessment (TEWL, electrical impedance)

Key Members

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jarmila Zbytovská (contact) 
• Aneta Kalvodová, PhD.
• Kamila Syslová, PhD.
• Vendula Janoušková, MSc.
• Damla Orhan, Msc.
• Nikola Strnádková, MSc.
• Anna Tvrdá, MSc.
• Martin Kubelka, MSc.
• Jan Myšák, MSc.