Julian Thiele
Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Institute of Chemistry, Germany
The ThieleLab is an interdisciplinary research group working on tools and methods for cell and synthetic biology. These include polymer microgels for cell-free biosynthesis, enzyme cascades and cross-calibration of optical traps/AFM/RT-DC as well as additive manufacturing of bioreactors via DLP and 2PP, and 3D bioprinting of microgel formulations and tumour spheroids in tissue engineering. The basis for these endeavours is a combination of macromolecular and organic
chemistry to prepare tailor-made building blocks for adaptive-responsive polymer materials that allows for introducing multi-functionality at the molecular level.
The goal is to develop biohybrid tissue by interfacing membrane-encapsulated microgels with biological cells, providing a long-term research perspective with innumerable opportunities in (pre-)polymer material synthesis, 3D printing, droplet microfluidics, cell biology as well as developmental and synthetic biology. The cell mimics are first to be optimised regarding membrane formation and surface modification, and then to be advanced to show regulatory mechanisms and
communication schemes with biological cells. Utilizing single-cell / single-microgel placement as well as 3D-printed cages, the research will focus on studying organisation patterns in early stages of embryonic development.
More information on the Thiele Lab website and on the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg website.
| Main area(s) | Sub-area(s) |
|---|---|
| Information processing and evolution of synthetic cells | Interfacing synthetic and natural cells |