Microgel-cell interactions (C08*)

• Subject Area: Preparatory and Physical Chemistry of Polymers
• Term: from 2020 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 191948804

In this project, we will investigate the interactions of soft microgels in the size range of 40–500 nm radius with cells. We aim to gain a conceptual understanding of how microgel properties affect their adsorption to cell surfaces as well as their translocation into cells and, ultimately, their fate inside the cell. We will initially use human embryonic kidney (HEK293) and immortal human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) as both are representative and well-described human cellular model systems. Depending on the progress of parallel SFB projects, we are prepared to include additional relevant cell types in our experimental portfolio.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 985: Functional Microgels and Microgel Systems
• Applicant Institution: Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Robert Göstl; Professor Dr. Walter Richtering; Professor Dr. Marc Spehr