Project

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Dynamics of hierarchical self-assembly processes characterized by small angle X-ray scattering

Applicant Pfohl Thomas
Number 128747
Funding scheme R'EQUIP
Research institution Physikalische Chemie Departement Chemie Universität Basel
Institution of higher education University of Basel - BS
Main discipline Physical Chemistry
Start/End 01.12.2009 - 30.11.2010
Approved amount 350'000.00
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All Disciplines (3)

Discipline
Physical Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry

Keywords (6)

small angle x-ray scattering; self-assembly; biomaterials; nanoparticles; microfluidics; soft matter

Lay Summary (English)

Lead
Lay summary
LeadThe combination of small angle X-ray scattering with microfluidics enables time dependent studies of self-assembly processes of biological materials as well as of nano- and microscale functional materials.HintergrundThe hierarchical self-organization of biomolecules in cells and tissues is one of the most fascinating phenomena in life science. Therefore, great efforts are devoted to understand the dynamics of the self-organization processes as well as to mimic these biological systems. Microfluidic techniques provide an opportunity to study the complexity of the hierarchical structural assembly and to generate models, which reproduce biological processes in vitro. The marriage of scanning small angle X-ray scattering and state of the art microfluidic technologies enables time dependent studies of hierarchical self-assembly of biological and bio-inspired materials on a molecular as well as on a mesoscopic scale.Das ZielThe funded X-ray instrument "Nanostar" from Bruker will facilitate us to develop a microfluidic-based platform for unique experiments on soft materials within the Chemistry Department at the University of Basel. This powerful new tool will be used to shed light on the dynamics of the hierarchical self-assembly of biological, supramolecular, and hybrid materials.BedeutungThis funded small angle X-Ray instrument will support the research at the emphasis of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Basel in the scope of "life- and nanoscience". The availability of the instrument is necessary to ensure the international competitiveness of the five research groups involved in the proposal. This instrument facilitate the applicants nano- and mesoscale studies on the self-assembly of biological, supramolecular, and hybrid materials. The newly developed microfluidic based small angle X-ray scattering platform allows for unique in-situ studies, which are not possible with conventional techniques.
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 21.02.2013

Responsible applicant and co-applicants

Publications

Publication
Monofunctionalized Gold Nanoparticles Stabilized by a Single Dendrimer Form Dumbbell Structures upon Homocoupling
Hermes Jens Peter, Sander Fabian, Fluch Ulrike, Peterle Torsten, Thompson Damien, Urbani Raphael, Pfohl Thomas, Mayor Marcel (2012), Monofunctionalized Gold Nanoparticles Stabilized by a Single Dendrimer Form Dumbbell Structures upon Homocoupling, in JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, 134(36), 14674-14677.
Gold Nanoparticles Stabilized by Thioether Dendrimers
Hermes Jens Peter, Sander Fabian, Peterle Torsten, Urbani Raphael, Pfohl Thomas, Thompson Damien, Mayor Marcel (2011), Gold Nanoparticles Stabilized by Thioether Dendrimers, in CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, 17(48), 13473-13481.
Phase Behavior of Vesicle-Forming Block Copolymers in Aqueous Solutions
Braun Joerg, Bruns Nico, Pfohl Thomas, Meier Wolfgang (2011), Phase Behavior of Vesicle-Forming Block Copolymers in Aqueous Solutions, in MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, 212(12), 1245-1254.
Tunable Silk: Using Microfluidics to Fabricate Silk Fibers with Controllable Properties
Kinahan Michelle E., Filippidi Emmanouela, Koester Sarah, Hu Xiao, Evans Heather M., Pfohl Thomas, Kaplan David L., Wong Joyce (2011), Tunable Silk: Using Microfluidics to Fabricate Silk Fibers with Controllable Properties, in BIOMACROMOLECULES, 12(5), 1504-1511.
Direct Control of the Spatial Arrangement of Gold Nanoparticles in Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Superstructures
Hermes Jens P., Sander Fabian, Peterle Torsten, Cioffi Carla, Ringler Philippe, Pfohl Thomas, Mayor Marcel (2011), Direct Control of the Spatial Arrangement of Gold Nanoparticles in Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Superstructures, in SMALL, 7(7), 920-929.

Associated projects

Number Title Start Funding scheme
130171 In situ dynamics and fluidics of biological matter 01.04.2010 Project funding
141270 In situ dynamics and fluidics of biological matter 01.04.2012 Project funding

Abstract

The hierarchical self-organization of biomolecules in cells and tissues is one of the most fascinating phenomena in life science. Therefore, great efforts are devoted to understand the dynamics of the self-organization processes as well as to mimic these biological systems. Microfluidic techniques provide an opportunity to study the complexity of the hierarchical structural assembly and to generate models, which reproduce biological processes in vitro. The marriage of scanning small angle X-ray scattering and state of the art microfluidic technologies enables time dependent studies of self-assembly, bundling, and network formation of DNA, DNA/(artificial) protein complexes, proteins of the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix on a molecular as well as on a mesoscopic scale. The X-ray instrument “Nanostar” from Bruker, for which we request funding, will facilitate us to develop this microfluidic-based platform for unique experiments on these soft materials within the Chemistry Department, University of Basel. This powerful new tool shall be also used to shed light on the dynamics of the hierarchical self-assembly of hybrid protein networks, functionalized nanoparticles in supramolecular hybridstructures, structure and dynamics of block copolymer micelles and vesicles, and studies on nano- and microscale functional materials.
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