Development and application of nanoviscosity probes in advanced FLIM studies on synthetic and native hydrogels in vitro (A04)

• Subject Area: Biophysics
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 431232613

It is the objective to obtain 3D information about the viscosity of mucus and glycocalyx layers directly on living cells to understand their integrity in health and disease. To achieve this aim, we will develop a cluster-fluorescence lifetime imaging (Cluster-FLIM) platform with targeted fluorescent molecular rotor (FMR) dyes as nanoviscosity sensors. Conjugates comprised of FMR dyes and peptide bisboronic esters will bind to hydrogel glycans. Labeling of membranestanding MUC1 and syndecan-1 will position FMR probes at controlled depths. We will investigate how the spatial distribution of hydrogel viscosity and polarity on living cells is affected upon environmental, pathological, and bacterial challenge.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1449: Dynamic Hydrogels at Biointerfaces
• Applicant Institution: Freie Universität Berlin
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Ulrike Alexiev (†); Dr. Stephan Block, since 1/2024; Professor Dr. Oliver Seitz