معرفی
Marianne Hiorth is a Professor at the Section for Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy within the School of Pharmacy at the University of Oslo, where she has held academic positions since 2000. Her career progression includes PhD Candidacy (2000-2005), Associate Professor (2006-2013), and full Professor (2013-present). She maintains active research collaborations across dentistry, physics, and international institutions including UiT The Arctic University of Norway and universities in Italy, UK, Spain, and Brazil.
Her educational credentials:
- Dr.Scient. (Pharmaceutical Sciences), University of Oslo, 2005
- Cand.Pharm. (Pharmacy), University of Oslo, 1999
- Undergraduate Studies, University of Bergen (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences), 1992-1994
Professor Hiorth's research centers on advanced oral drug delivery systems targeting dry mouth and dental pathologies. Her pioneering work focuses on polymer-based nanospheres and polymer-coated liposomes for buccal and dental applications, with particular emphasis on biocompatible carriers using natural polysaccharides. Current investigations explore β-glucans from fungal sources, hyaluronic acid coatings, and silicon-based nanoparticles to enhance mucoadhesion, stability, and therapeutic efficacy in the challenging oral environment. Her group bridges fundamental polymer science with clinical dental applications.
Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals three dominant research thrusts: (1) Structural characterization of biopolymers (especially fungal β-glucans) using advanced techniques like DOSY NMR; (2) Optimization of liposome coatings with polysaccharides/hyaluronate for oral cavity stability; (3) Development of novel silicon-based nanocarriers for poorly soluble drugs. These studies consistently address formulation challenges in xerostomia and dental erosion through rigorous physicochemical characterization and biocompatibility testing.
Scientific Recognition:
- No formal awards listed in current documentation
Professor Hiorth leads the "Fungal beta-glucan particles" project within the Site-specific Drug Delivery (SiteDel) research group. Her extensive collaborations—particularly with dentistry faculty (Rykke, Vik, Hove, Jensen) and international partners—demonstrate interdisciplinary integration. While no formal advisees are documented, her teaching responsibilities (FRM 2020, FRM 2030, FRM 5110) indicate significant student mentorship in pharmaceutical production, quality control, and polysaccharide applications. Her research is supported by institutional funding though specific grants aren't detailed.
The laboratory environment focuses on translational pharmaceutics, with current efforts directed toward commercializing nanocarriers for dental caries prevention and dry mouth management. Ongoing work emphasizes biodegradable silicon platforms and immunomodulatory β-glucan systems for next-generation oral therapeutics.
