GRK 3076:  Sustainable hydrogels: From chemical structures to applicability

• Subject Area: Polymer Research ; Biological Chemistry and Food Chemistry
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 532878344

Replacing synthetic polymers with bio-polymers from renewable sources, ideally agricultural byproducts or side-streams of the agro-food industry, will contribute to a sustainable society by following the principles of circular economy. Sustainable polysaccharides from land plants and algae for the production of hydrogels show, however, a large natural variability leading to varying gel properties. The RTG SusGel addresses these questions in an interdisciplinary approach of polysaccharide chemistry, analytics, modelling, and bio engineering applications to overcome these challenges. Research topics concern gelation, behavior of gels during application, and gel aging (with a focus on the behavior under mechanical stress) which reflect the entire life cycle of hydrogels. Tailored, enzyme-based modifications of natural polysaccharides provide innovative yet sustainable starting materials for the production of hydrogels. These hydrogels will serve in bio engineering, i.e. food and pharmaceutical applications, practically 3D printing, and microgel particles. In SusGel, the relations between chemical structures of polysaccharides ((sub)nm scale), mechanisms on a microscopic level (e.g., diffusion of guests within the gels, µm scale) and macroscopic properties (e.g., release properties of microgel particles or shape of a 3D printed scaffold, mm – cm scale) will be analyzed. Thus, the focus is on structure-process-property relationships of sustainable polysaccharides/hydrogels over their whole life cycle. Early career researchers with backgrounds in chemistry, physics, bio- and chemical engineering will work closely together and focus on above mentioned research aspects. To support their development as well as to prepare them for the job market, in which working in cross-disciplinary teams is a key competence, a structured qualification program is offered, targeting individual qualifications, interdisciplinary skills, and international, inter-cultural experiences. The personal development of the RTG doctoral researchers will be promoted in addition to the scientific qualification, which will support their subsequent professional careers in academia or industry. Interdisciplinary skills will be fostered by tandem supervision, lab rotations, study days, spring and fall schools, and the involvement of the doctoral researchers in these events in responsible positions. Interactions at networking events with international top researchers will also be part of the qualification program. Finally, doctoral researchers will be encouraged to visit leading international partners and institutions and work in their laboratories. Thus, being involved in SusGel is an excellent preparation for doctoral researchers for an (inter)national career in academia or companies - from start-ups to global players in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries - that have recognized the social relevance of the development and use of sustainable polymers.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
• Participating Institution: Universität Stuttgart
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Mirko Bunzel
• Participating Researchers: Professorin Dr. Sabine Enders; Professorin Dr. Gisela Guthausen; Professor Dr. Christian Holm; Professor Dr. Jürgen Hubbuch; Professor Dr.-Ing. Hermann Nirschl; Dr.-Ing. Ulrike van der Schaaf; Professor Dr. Manfred Wilhelm