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Centre of Excellence for Polysaccharide Research - Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Germany
Description of Centre of Excellence for Polysaccharide Research:
The Centre of Excellence for Polysaccharide Research is embedded in the juristic structure of the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena. The main focus is the understanding and exploiting of the extraordinary properties of polysaccharides. At present 12 PhD- and 4 diploma students, 4 post docs and 4 technical assistants are working in the field of polysaccharide functionalization and structure analysis. The main expertise is chemical functionalization of polysaccharides under homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions, preparation of novel polysaccharide derivatives, structure analysis by spectroscopic- and chromatographic methods as well as formation of polymeric nanostructures and membranes.
Moreover, the education in the field of this important class of biopolymers is guaranteed by:
Integration of the topic polysaccharides into the course of Bioorganic Chemistry
Involvement into the education on Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry.
Description of the polysaccharide research activities:
- Activation of polysaccharides: Investigation of swelling media and cellulose solvents including ionic liquids.
- Chemical functionalization: Novel derivatives based on cellulose, starch, hemicelluloses, dextran, curdlan and other polysaccharides, improving known synthesis paths.
- Highly engineered derivatives: Synthesis of polysaccharide derivatives with active functional groups, like crown ether structures for separation purposes and film-forming aminocellulose (monolayers) for e.g., biocompatibilization of materials.
- Nanostructured polysaccharides: Preparation of nanoparticles for the use in medical- and biomedical applications as sensors and for drug delivery systems.
- Structure characterization: Characterization on all structural levels in particular by means of chromatographic (HPLC, SEC), spectroscopic (FTIR, liquid- and solid state NMR), and microscopic (REM, TEM, atomic force, polarized light) techniques.
Main pieces of equipments:
Reaction vessels up to a content of 10 l, autoclaves up to 5 l, freeze dryer, rheometer, HPLC, SEC, polarized light microscope, REM, TEM, AFM, spectroscopy (FTIR, UV/Vis, solid- and liquid state NMR), elemental analysis, spin coater, capillary viscometer, particle size distribution analyzer.
Contact: Thomas Heinze Email: Thomas.Heinze@uni-jena.de
Fax: +49 (0) 3641 9 48272
Phone: +49 (0) 3641 9 48270
Address:
Centre of Excellence for Polysaccharide Research
Humboldtstrasse 10
D-07743 Jena, Germany
Web site: www.uni-jena.de/chemie/institute/oc/heinze