News

We newly published a paper in Biomaterials Advances on collagen networks of thin fibrils with the new finding that those networks exhibit an entropic elasticity mode known from flexible polymer network strands. We also show a strong impact of the physical network elasticity regime, being of enthalpic or entropic origin for thick or thin collagen fibrils, respectively, on invasion behavior of breast cancer cells. For further reading see here.

We recently started our new m-ERA.net project “LivMat: Productive catalytic living materials: combining 3D biobased fibrillar membranes with synthetic microbial consortia to produce chemicals” together with our partners from Helmholtz-UFZ, Solaga GmbH, Instanbul Technical University, Kaunas University of Technology and University of Latvia. The LivMat project aims to syndicate biobased porous materials with microbial consortia to effectively capture natural and waste resources to synthesize chemicals continuously, demonstrating the basis for catalytic living materials. Within the project we will exemplify the approach by the production of monomers for textile polymer synthesis including ε-caprolactone and adipic acid. For more information see here.

In cooperation with colleagues from Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden and Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, we published a paper in Gels on a biomimetic wound healing model using cocultures of primary human fibroblasts and macrophages in 3D collagen networks functionalized with sulfated glycosaminoglycans. We show that the network functionalization and the degree of sulfation of GAGs influences the paracrine cell-cell signaling in the in vitro model. For further reading see here.

We recently started our new JTF project “AI-assisted resource-efficient production of the antifibrinolytic ε-aminocaproic acid and bio-nylon” together with our partners from Helmholtz-UFZ and MPI Neurorecogniation. The goal of the project is to use and streamline microbial biocatalysts for the AI-based development of an efficient ε-aminocaproic acid production process. Cyclohexane and renewable fatty acid derivatives will serve as primary substrates. Envisioned reaction setups include biofilm reactors and microbial consortia to distribute tasks among different strains. AI will be fed by reaction parameters of the in vivo cascade reaction to determine and optimize feasible and sustainable process setups. For eco-efficient production of nylon precursors, the pathways will be adapted and transferred into cyanobacteria providing energy and reduction equivalents via photosynthesis.

We currently offer a PhD position in the field of bioprocess engineering with emphasis on biofilm reactors for chemical production. Experience in bioprocess engineering, biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry or equivalent in a relevant subject area are needed. For details see: Link.

In cooperation with colleagues from Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig, we newly published a paper in Engineering Life Science on upscaling options in capillary photo-bioreactors for high density cultures of mixed microbial consortia. For further reading see here.

Based on a cooperation with colleagues from Dresden, we newly published a paper in Nature on a new mechanism counteracting bioadhesion by entropic repulsion of orientational fluctuations in cholesterol multilayers. Our results not only reveal this new mechanism of entropic repulsion to be relevant in the surface properties of Collembola, but, also shows the high specificity to the cholesterol chemistry. For further reading see here.

We newly published a paper in Green Chemistry on enabling a new biotechnological process combining electrochemical hydrogenation and microbial biotransformation of lignin feedstock. Our results show this process to be synthesis adipic acid as a Nylon building block at high yield, which shows option for the production of polyamides by natural growing resources. For further reading see here.

We newly published a paper in ACS Materials & Interfaces on a distinct phenotype switch of breast cancer cells during transmigration across sharp interfaces of biomimetic extracellular matrices. Our findings suggest that the switch of the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 into a more aggressive phenotype correlates with a strong nuclear deformation and DNA damage occurring during the transmigration from a dense into an open matrix. For further reading see here.

We newly published a paper in Journal of Materials Chemistry B on functionalization of hydrogel microparticles with sulfomethoxazole to be applied in biosensing of antibiotics. We introduce a new synthesis strategy for sulfomethoxazole derivates and their coupling to poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel microparticles. For further reading see here.