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  Copyright: © Thomke Belthle

Overview on Research

My research deals with the synthesis and characterization auf functional microgels for the immobilization auf enzymes and small biomolecules (e.g. drugs). Both the kind of immobilization (covalent, non-covalent) as well as the architecture of the microgels strongly influence the activity of the immobilized biomolecule and can improve the chemical and physical stability. By applying stimuli-responsive materials as polymer backbone, the microgel properties can be triggered and payload can be released.

Research focus

• Synthesis and characterization of functional microgels for efficient immobilization of enzymes for biocatalysis
• Design of microgel containers for the uptake and release of biomolecules

Project

IGF Research-Project 21723 N: Digitally applicable microgel-elastomer composites for thermoresponsive membrane solutions in highly elastic functional textiles

Publications

Belthle, T., & Pich, A. (2022). Aqueous microgels with engineered hydrophobic nano-domains. Molecular Systems Design & Engineering, 7(10), 1207-1227.

Belthle, T., Demco, D. E., & Pich, A. (2022). Nanostructuring the Interior of Stimuli-Responsive Microgels by N-Vinylimidazoles Quaternized with Hydrophobic Alkyl Chains. Macromolecules, 55(3), 844-861.

Hussmann, L., Belthle, T., Demco, D. E., Fechete, R., Pich, A.; Stimuli-responsive microgels with cationic moieties: characterization and interaction with E. coli cells; Soft matter; 2021.

Nöth, M., Hussmann, L., Belthle, T., El-Awaad, I., Davari, M. D., Jakob, F., Pich, A., Schwaneberg, U.; MicroGelzymes: PH-Independent Immobilization of Cytochrome P450 BM3 in Microgels; Biomacromolecules, 21(12), 5128-5138; 2020.

Gau, E., Flecken, F., Belthle, T., Ambarwati, M., Loos, K., Pich, A; Amylose‐Coated Biohybrid Microgels by Phosphorylase‐Catalyzed Grafting‐From Polymerization; Macromolecular rapid communications, 40(16), 1900144; 2019.