Department für Nanobiotechnologie (DNBT)

Prof. Erik Reimhult vom Institut für biologisch inspirierte Materialien wird ein europäisches Ausbildungsnetzwerk (European Training Network, ETN) koordinieren zu Wundverbandmaterialien die pathogene Bakterien erkennen und abtöten könnten. Das Netzwerk umfasst Universitäten, Unternehmen und Spitäler. Ziel ist es, die nächste Generation von Forschungsleitern auszubilden und gleichzeitig neue Materiallösungen für die drängende Herausforderung der therapieassoziierten Infektionen zu erforschen.

Researchers from the Institute for Biologically Inspired Materials have improved control over the movement of nanoparticles using electrophoretic forces. We have now received funds to implement these insights in a new setup to greatly enhance the purification of nanoparticles.

The work "Measuring (biological) materials mechanics with atomic force microscopy. 2. Influence of the loading rate and applied force (colloidal particles)" by Andreas Weber, Barbara Zbiral, Jagoba Iturri, Rafael Benitez and José L. Toca‐Herrera from Institute for Biophysics shows the non‐linear dependence of cell mechanical properties on loading rate when using atomic force microscopy.

In the work, "Nanostructured scaffolds based on bioresorbable polymers and graphene oxide induce the aligned migration and accelerate the neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells", the fabrication and characterization of biodegradable nanostructured poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) is described. These scaffolds, either with or without graphene oxide (GO) functionalization, support the alignment, growth, migration and differentiation of neural stem and progenitor cells without a need of a laminin coating.

Seed encapsulation in hard shells is common for protection and dispersal. In their article "Topological Interlocking and Geometric Stiffening as Complementary Strategies for Strong Plant Shells", the research group led by Notburga Gierlinger from Institute for Biophysics reveal previously unknown functional interrelations between the structure, geometry, and mechanics in nutshells. They found that simple geometric modifications, such as the development of puzzle-shaped instead of round cells, and small spherical shells instead of large ellipsoidal shells, increase the fracture resistance of hard plant shells resource-efficiently.

Dr. Jagoba Iturri and Prof. Dr. José L. Toca-Herrera, from the Institute for Biophysics, will edit the Special Issue Entitled “Applied Physics in Cancer Cells” for Biology Journal, collecting recent advances in applied physics methodologies (i.e. scanning probe microscopy, cytomechanics and adhesive properties, electrical properties and magnetic fields, etc) for the characterization and diagnosis of cancerous cells and tissues.

- Hybrid polymer/lipid bilayers are interesting alternatives to lipid-based membrane models in many fields of science. - The tuneable polymeric component allows for fine adjustments of the resulting hybrid bilayers (e.g. thickness, % PEGylation). - Reducing the polymer MW to values closer to the lipids´one, results in hybrid bilayers with a lipid-like spreading behavior.

Seit dem COVID-19-Ausbruch besteht die unmittelbare Notwendigkeit, seine Ausbreitung zu kontrollieren, insbesondere durch die Entwicklung einer wirksamen Impfung. Am Department für Nanobiotechnologie wird ein "Nano-Trojaner" entwickelt, der über die Nasenschleimhaut eine Immunisierung gegen das COVID-19-Virus hervorrufen soll. Anders als bei den meisten untersuchten Impfstoffentwicklungen schlagen die Forscher des Instituts für Synthetische Bioarchitekturen die Herstellung von S-Layer-coronavirus-Spike-Protein-Fusionsproteinen zur Verwendung als immunogene Zusammensetzung für eine intranasale und orale Applikation vor.

Prof. Bernhard Schuster from Institut for Synthetic Bioarchitectures is among the most important topic editors and with 44 publications main contributor to the development and understanding of this fundamental research area.