Mission: The Biophysical Chemistry group at the Institute of Biochemistry of Leipzig University focuses on biomaterial approaches for engineering cellular microenvironments and new microparticle-based biosensors. We design new biomimetic cellular microenvironments based on synthetic and naturally derived polymers to vary topology and mechanics of 3D networks and the mode of soluble signal presentation and transport.
Based on biophysical, biochemical and cellular analyses, we support a systemic understanding of exogenous cell signals and the application of the engineered materials in in vitro assays for biomedical studies and for fundamental studies of biofilm design in biotechnology. Furthermore, we develop hydrogel microparticle based biosensors for the detection of anthropogenic analytes (e.g. pesticides, xenohormones, antibiotics) in aqueous environments to be applied in on-site monitoring of environment and food.
Based on biophysical, biochemical and cellular analyses, we support a systemic understanding of exogenous cell signals and the application of the engineered materials in in vitro assays for biomedical studies and for fundamental studies of biofilm design in biotechnology. Furthermore, we develop hydrogel microparticle based biosensors for the detection of anthropogenic analytes (e.g. pesticides, xenohormones, antibiotics) in aqueous environments to be applied in on-site monitoring of environment and food.
SHK – Praktikumsbetreuung
Wir suchen 2 studentische Hilfskräfte für Praktikumsbetreuung ‘Physikalische Chemie’ im Sommersemester (Link)
New Paper on Synthesis and Application of Agarose Hydrogels with pH Sensors
We newly published a paper in ACS Applied BioMaterials on the synthesis and application of agarose polymers with pH-sensitive fluorescent dyes. We show the covalent end-on coupling of pH-sensitive dyes to agarose polymers and the usage of this agarose in monitoring pH changes of microbial cultures of photoautotroph and chemoheterotroph species incorporated within agarose hydrogels due to their metabolic activity. For further reading see here.