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

In C02, we generate synthetic mucin mimics based on coiled-coil peptides or cellulose oligomers. These scaffolds are functionalized with synthetic glycans and self-assemble into modular hydrogels with properties similar to native mucus. Molecular dynamics simulations in combination with morphological and viscoelastic measurements are performed to establish relationships between composition, structure, and physical properties and better understand the components of native mucus. Future work aims to enhance the hydrogel structural complexity, tune viscoelastic properties, and study interactions with pathogens, nanoparticles, and antibodies.

• 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