Polymer Synthesis and Biomaterials

synthesis of novel functional polymer materials for biomedical applications

We develop new polymerization methods to synthesize smart polymer materials for biomedical applications.
The main focus of our research is the development of highly functional polymer materials using modern synthetic methods, such as photocatalyzed controlled radical polymerization or cationic ring-opening polymerization of diverse monomers. Using such methods, we can obtain a wide range of well-defined polymers with different architectures (e.g., linear, branched, self-assembling block copolymers). In particular, we aim for stimuli-responsive polymers that change their physical properties based on an external stimulus (e.g., light, mechanical strain, change of temperature, pH). These „smart“ polymers are then used in biomedical applications, such as the preparation of drug delivery systems or cell-mimicking nanoreactors. The biological testing of our systems is realized in collaboration with several biological institutes.

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