Rationally designed mucin-like glyco and peptide hydrogels (C02)

• Subject Area: Biological and Biomimetic Chemistry
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 431232613

How does the chemical composition generate the physical and biological properties of mucins? To answer this question, we will simulate, synthesize, and characterize modular mucin-like hydrogels based on (1) self-assembled glyco-scaffolds, and (2) coiled coil-based peptide scaffolds. We will systematically vary the carbohydrate composition, the scaffold connectivity, as well as physico-chemical environment. The scaffold flexibility and the microscopic water structure within the hydrogel network will be atomistically modelled and correlated to the rheological and biological properties of the mucin-like hydrogels.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1449: Dynamic Hydrogels at Biointerfaces
• Applicant Institution: Freie Universität Berlin
• Project Heads: Dr. Martina Delbianco; Professorin Dr. Bettina Keller; Professorin Dr. Beate Koksch