| University of Heidelberg
The partner consists of two groups from
Institute for Applied Physical Chemistry (Professor Grunze) and
Biophysical Chemistry (Prof Spatz), respectively. The interdisciplinary research unit develop new methods
to structure ultra thin organic films on solid surfaces and investigate their properties with respect to their interaction with biomolecules and cells. Special expertise is available in the physical and chemical characterization of surfaces, the development of new methods, and in the design and building of new analytical tools.
Also techniques for functionalization of solid-state interfaces by utilizing self-organization mechanism of
amphiphilic polymer/inorganic hybrid systems where competing interactions between polymer segments and
interfaces are studied and applied for nanostructuring substrates with different periodic and aperiodic geometries.
Principally, the length scale between a few nanometers up to micrometers can be covered by this technique,
which allows deposition of nanometer-sized dots or lines (metallic, semiconducting, or magnetic) in
periodic or aperiodic pattern on solid surfaces.
In addition, several biomimetic, micromechanical techniques has been designed, which allow for structuring,
microprobing and -manipulation of mechanics of single cells, cell clusters, cell-tissue systems, and artificial
2-dimensional cytoskeleton networks made of F-actin and collagen. In parallel, we are able to quantify mechanical responses of cells and filament networks as well as to visualize its structural properties.
All modern methods of Surface Chemistry and Surface Physics are either available in our laboratories in
Heidelberg, or accessible to us at several national and international facilities providing Synchrotron or Neutron
Radiation. A brief description of the ongoing research projects, and the respective literature, can be
found on the web page, linked from the title.
Key references
1. Gölzhäuser, A., et al., Advanced Materials, 2001. 13(11): p. 806.
2. Zolk, M., et al., Langmuir, 2000. 16(14): p. 5849-5852.
3. Pertsin, A.J., T. Hayashi, and M. Grunze, J. Phys. Chem. B, 2002. 106: p. 12274-12281.
4. Welle, A., M. Grunze, and D. Tur, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 1998. 197: p. 263-274.
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