Unit 31 - RG Nanosurfaces

Research Focus

The Nanosurfaces group is concerned with the development of novel laser-based nanofabrication techniques and their application in biomedicine and tissue engineering. Its main focus is to provide control over cell proliferation and cell interaction by changing the topological and biochemical characteristics of the nanostructured surfaces generated. The ultimate aim of this project is to mimic and reproduce natural ECM (extra cellular matrix) environment architecture and properties, with artificially created micro- and nanostructures. Within the REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, fundamental aspects of the way femtosecond laser radiation interacts with the applied materials are explored, as are practical aspects of nanomanufacturing. Resolution limits and biological properties of fabricated structures are investigated with regard to cell proliferation and tissue formation. The scope for producing series of exactly identical samples in accordance with CAD models will allow, for the first time, systematic studies of cellstructure interactions in 3D and new insights into tissue formation mechanisms.

Collaborations

  • University of Rostock, Institut für Biomedizinische Technik (IBMT)
  • Hannover Medical School, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
  • Bremen University, Zentrum für Humangenetik (ZHG)
  • Leibniz University of Hannover, Institute of Technical Chemistry
  • RWTH Aachen
  • Leibniz University of Hannover, Institute of Biophysics
  • North Carolina State University, USA
  • Ghent University, Belgium
  • IESL/FORTH, Greece

Further Research Projects

  • Title: ‘Sub-100 nm Zweiphotonen- Polymerisations-Technik für optische und biomedizinische Anwendungen’ (in the framework of DFG SPP 1327 ‘Optisch Erzeugte Sub-100nm- Strukturen für Biomedizinische und technische Applikationen’)
  • Title: ‘Bioartifizielle Gefäßprothese’ (SFB-Transregio 37 ‘Mikro- und Nanosysteme in der Medizin’ – subproject C1) Evaluation of a New Material as a Scaffold for the Production of Artifical Tissue’ and, in this connection, is working on the synthesis of new materials based on polysialic acid.

Equipment and Service Facilities

[Please find a list of all available equipment here]

Further Information

www.lzh.de

Staff

Ovsianikov, Aleksandr Dr. a.ovsianikov (at) lzh.de
Koch, Juergen j.koch (at) lzh.de
Miller, Philip