C7N

Interactions of responsive soft microgels with lipid membranes

We will study interaction of responsive microgels with lipid-bilayer membranes – in particular adsorption, wrapping, and self-assembly. Experiments and computer simulations will allow us to understand and predict the physics of microgel-membrane systems. The behavior is affected by a multitude of properties, such as microgel and membrane deformability, chemical forces, and membrane-mediated interactions. We aim to generate fundamental understanding that can be used, inter alia, to design responsive bio-nanostructured materials and to rationalize interactions of soft colloids with complex biological systems such as cells.

Principle Investigators

Crassous, Jérôme, Prof. Dr.
Institute of Physical Chemistry
RWTH Aachen University
+49 241 80 94741
crassous@pc.rwth-aachen.de

Gompper, Gerhard, Prof. Dr.
Institute of Complex Systems and Institute for Advanced Simulation
Forschungszentrum Jülich
+49 2461 61 4012
g.gompper@fz-juelich.de