Offers
Pluripotency & Regeneration
- research and development of new cell-based screening methods with the focus on miniaturization, parallelization and automation
- development of innovative concepts for the automation of cell culture processes in the field of stem cell research
- research on the control of pluripotency in an adult body using the unique features of the free-living flatworm S. mediterranea
- investigation of high-density expansion of hiPSCs cultured in suspension on alginate microcarriers
- integration of complete cell culture processes in automation technologies using robotics and microfluidics:
- automated reprogramming
- automated hiPSC differentiation
- development of standardized QC for the rapid and consistent evaluation of the pluripotential of hiPSCs
- development of innovative analytical methods for the investigation of three-dimensional cell constructs
- cell and tissue engineering of medically relevant systems using biocompatible hydrogels
- immunoisolation of medically relevant cell systems using biocompatible hydrogels
- development of an innovative bag-based culture system for the differentiation and cryopreservation of pluripotent stem cells
Biomedical Optics
- confocal and non-linear laser scanning microscopy for tasks in biomedical and materials science (fluorescence and Raman, multiphoton excitation, second harmonic imaging)
- optical spectroscopy (UV/Vis/Nir absorption, fluorescence, Raman)
- laser scanning cryomicroscopy and cryogenic calorimetry
- laser-based 3D micro and nanostructuring of polymers, metal films, silicon and biological material
- fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), spectrally resolved fluorescence lifetime imaging (S-FLIM)
- concepts for functional optical sensors and imaging
- design of miniaturized scanners and optics
- conception and execution of optical-microscopic studies on cells, cell assemblies, tissues and non-biological samples (confocal, nonlinear, transmission, fluorescence) for biology, pharmacy and materials science
- conception and execution of optical-spectroscopic studies (UV/Vis/NIR)
- application and evaluation of molecular probes for imaging of physical, chemical and biological environmental parameters in biomedicine and non-biological application fields
- application and evaluation of optical biomarkers (contrast agents, molecular imaging) for diagnostics, monitoring and research
- development and adaptation of optical sensor concepts and architectures
- development and adaptation of imaging optical contrast processes for biomedicine and materials science
- 3D spatially resolved photochemistry: photopolymerization, uncaging etc.
- ablative laser micro processing
- fluorescence-spectroscopic measurements (200-900 nm)
- absorption-spectroscopic measurements (200-3300 nm)
- laser scanning microscopy: confocal reflexion and fluorescence, multiphoton microscopy
- SHG microscopy for specific and marker-free representation of collagen, starch, myosine, etc.
- wide field microscopy
- development of imaging methods for long-term time-lapse monitoring of biological systems using automated image analysis
- characterization of biopolymers (e. g. alginate) for cell culture of therapeutically relevant cell systems
- development of stimuli-responsive surfaces for cell culture of therapeutically relevant cell systems
Automation Processes
- automated biobanking of biological material, micro-organisms and clinical samples under BSL 2 according to the genetic engineering act, infection protection act, biological agents regulations (DIN EN ISO9001:2015)
- optimization and validation of automated cell culture processes
• cultivation of cell lines and induced pluripotent stem cells
• production von HIV-1 pseudo-type viruses (“Good Clinical Laboratory Practice” (GCLP) - conform)
• reprogramming und differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells - automation of cell-based assays and processes
• cytotoxicity assays, neutralization assays, ELISpot, embryonic stem cell assay, aliquoting, cryopreservation
• optimization and validation up to certification under a quality management system
Cryobiotechnology
- Research and development of novel cell culture and screening systems with focus on miniaturization, parallelization and automation
- development of new concepts for automation of cell culture procedures in the area of stem cell research
- integration of complete cell culture processes of automation technologies using robotics and microfluidics
- automated toxicity testing
- automated hiPSC differentiation
- development of novel analysis methods for the investigation of three-dimensional cell constructs under miniaturized conditions
- research and development in the area of cryobiology and biotechnology
- development of novel sterile vitrification protocols
- development of new vitrification substrates
- development of chemical defined high performance cryo media
- cell and tissue-specific optimization of cryopreservation processes
- vitrification of hiPSCs on alginate microcarriers
- cryopreservation of multicellular constructs
- cryopreservation of adherent cell systems
- development of optimized disposables for cultivation, manipulation and live storage of viable cells and tissue at cryogenic temperatures