Dynamic Biomaterials

We study and orchestrate how synthetic materials interact with living cells. We engineer cell-instructive environments and material-based solutions for zero-waste therapeutic solutions.

Our group develops hydrogel materials with programmed and tunable properties designed to encapsulate and instruct living cells. We study how living cells and inert matter interact and how these interactions can be exploited to direct cellular functions and ultimately result in therapeutic advantages. We cooperate with synthetic biologists, biophysicists, drug developers and clinicians to explore the application potential of our developments, with a focus on new materials for ophthalmic drug delivery. We contribute to INM’s competence fields opto-interactive and bio-intelligent materials. Our research addresses biomedical needs.

Prof. Dr. Aránzazu del Campo
Prof. Dr. Aránzazu del Campo
Head of Dynamic Biomaterials
Telefon: +49 (0)681-9300-510

Contact

Dr. Jennifer Yvonne Kasper
Head of Bioengineering
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-316
Dr. Aleeza Farrukh
Research Scientist
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-315
Team Members
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-181
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-363
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Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-315
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Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-245
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Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-316
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Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-316
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Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-247
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-315
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-214
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-363
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-384
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-113
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-152
Research

Hydrogels with latent properties

By integrating phototriggers and light-responsive molecular motors in polymeric networks, we develop 4D hydrogels with optoregulated (bio)chemical activity, crosslinking, degradation, or mechanoactuation. These are used for biophysical studies of cell response to changes in the biochemical and mechanical signals of the extracellular environment.

Model Cellular Microenvironments

We build synthetic models of cell-matrix and cell-cell interfaces with encoded biochemical, mechanical and dimensional signals. To accelerate discovery, we develop material microarrays for high-throughput biophysical experimentation and apply them to study multifactorial cell responses.

Living Therapeutic Devices

We develop bioinks and apply biofabrication technologies for functional and safe encapsulation of cells in medical devices. We focus on self-replenishable living therapeutic materials which integrate drug biofactories and have unlimited therapeutic release. We aim for innovation in ocular therapeutics with living, self-replenishable drug-eluting contact lenses.

Partner

Selected Publications

Actin-templated Structures: Nature's Way to Hierarchical Surface Patterns (Gecko's Setae as Case Study)

Kasper, Jennifer Y. | Laschke, Matthias W. | Koch, Marcus | Alibardi, Lorenzo | Magin, Thomas M. | Niessen, Carien M. | del Campo, Aránzazu

Advanced Science , 2024, 11 (10), 2303816.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/advs.202303816

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Cytocompatibility evaluation of PEG-methylsulfone hydrogels

Trujillo, Sara | Kasper, Jennifer Y. | Miguel-Jimenez, Adrián De | Abt, Britta | Bauer, Alina | Mekontso Ngaffo, Joelle A. | Pearson, Samuel | del Campo, Aránzazu

ACS Omega , 2023, 8 (35), 32043-32052.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.3c03952

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Rheological behavior of Pluronic/Pluronic diacrylate hydrogels used for bacteria encapsulation in engineered living materials

Bhusari, Shardul | Hoffmann, Maxi | Herbeck-Engel, Petra | Sankaran, Shrikrishnan | Wilhelm, Manfred | del Campo, Aránzazu

Soft Matter , 2023, 20 (6), 1320-1332.
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2024/SM/D3SM01119D

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