Orthogonal functionalisation of pore interfaces for the generation of tailor-made biofunctionalised papers

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Harald Kolmar
• Subject Area: Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 465784282

This project is aimed at establishing strategies for the knowledge-based development of paper materials for applications in biomedicine and bioanalytics. It is positioned in the field of paper analytics and functionalisation with the long-term goal to establish on the basis of rational design criteria tools for the tailor-made generation of biofunctionalized paper with predicted biophysical, fluidic, and enzymatic properties. The focus is on the development of special methods for the immobilisation of biomolecules on paper and the targeted production of stimulus responsive microfluidic channels. With commonly used methods for chemical conjugation of proteins to paper fibres, it is not possible to immobilise biomolecules in a defined orientation and in high density on the paper surface. This problem was solved by application of the two-step procedure that relies on pre-functionalisation of paper fibres with peptides that serve as anchor molecules for the directed enzymatic ligation of proteins (enzymes, antibodies). This project mainly aims at addressing the question, which conjugation strategy for cellulose modification with peptides and which biocatalytic conjugation strategy for proteins results in superior loading density and bioactivity. Based on these findings a special focus in this funding period will be on the generation of more complex functional papers. First, we plan to generated bi- and oligofunctionalised papers composed of different functionalised fibre types that can be individually addressed with different biomolecules. Second, the gained knowledge will be applied to the generation of microfluidic bioactive papers that can be used in the frame of lab-on-paper applications.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants