Probing and modeling of transport properties of hydrogels (A03)

• Subject Area: Experimental and Theoretical Physics of Polymers
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 431232613

Biological hydrogels such as mucus form natural barriers for infectious agents. Here, we will develop and apply combined experimental/theoretical approaches using advanced microscopy to track the transport of particles (e.g., proteins, viruses, bacteria) in hydrogels and to extract spatially resolved diffusivity and free-energy profiles, which are the material parameters needed to accurately describe and predict particle transport. The interplay of individual hydrogel components on the barrier functionality will be addressed by a systematic variation of particle and hydrogel properties and of the resulting particle-hydrogel interaction.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1449: Dynamic Hydrogels at Biointerfaces
• Applicant Institution: Freie Universität Berlin
• Project Heads: Dr. Stephan Block; Professor Dr. Roland Netz