Welcome to the Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems – Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS)

IBCS-Functional Molecular Systems is an interdisciplinary institute combining fundamental research in Biology and Chemistry.
Our aim is to improve our understanding of biological processes (e.g. cellular communication or disease progression) using advanced materials and chemical processes.
We focus on developing new smart materials, miniaturized high content screening methods as well as design of novel biomedical tools for the treatment of diseases.

 

Building 319   

 

Specific Focuses of IBCS-FMS:

Biology:        Cell adhesion molecules, Wnt signaling 
Chemistry:    Combinatorial chemistry, surface chemistry, polymer chemistry


Technology Transfer at IBCS-FMS:

Several aspects of our research at IBCS-FMS have been transferred into Start-Ups:

 

                              

 

 

2023-09-10NewPublication
Paper published in ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces

[29.11.2023]
2 million tons (yearly) of non-recyclable superabsorbers (diapers) may no longer end up in landfills or incinerators. We report a rapid UV-based recycling method for sodium polyacrylate hydrogels, accelerating the degradation time by 200x. No chemicals, just water and UV! The product of pampers degradation is soluble sodium polyacrylate with numerous applications - from eco-friendly dyes to pressure-sensitive adhesives. This simple new approach is fast, scalable, and green, promising a sustainable future for these polymers. Read the full article here.

Interview with Prof. Levkin

[29.11.2023]
Prof. Levkin discusses about our recent development of UV-based method for the degradation and recycling of diapers (superabsorbers) on Programm BR24: Click for audio file

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2023-11-15PavelLaureate1
Prof. Levkin participates in the World Laureate Forum

[14.11.2023]
Prof. Levkin participates in the World Laureate Forum (WLF) in Shanghai (https://2023.wlaforum.com/en), which brings together about 200 scientists from all over the world including many recipients of prestigious awards, such as the Nobel Prize, the Turing Award, the Wolf Prize, the Breakthrough Prize, the Fields Medal, etc. The WLF is committed to "promote basic science, advocate for international cooperation, and support the development of youth".

Heika-logoHEIKA Heidelberg Karlsruhe
New HEIKA Project from the Orian-Rousseau group

[07.11.2023]
Project “Targeting Colorectal Cancer Plasticity in Organoids through Adeno-associated Virus (AAV) technology”
Partners: Group Orian-Rousseau (Steffen Sonnentag) - KIT / Dirk Grimm - University Heidelberg

Wolfgang Runge
Dr. habil. Wolfgang Runge (1943-2023)

Shortly before his 80th birthday, Dr. Wolfgang Runge passed away on 18.10.2023. With him, the Institute of Organic Chemistry loses one of its supporters and esteemed colleagues. Mr. Runge put his heart and soul into entrepreneurship and passionately implemented with us for years one of the most successful formats at the newly founded Karlsruhe Institute of Technology on technical and chemical entrepreneurship (KIT - Technology Entrepreneurship - Instructor(s)). His large network contributed to the fact that new and established company founders and experts were able to present themselves at KIT and to discuss intensively with students. We miss him and mourn with his family.

Prof. Stefan Bräse

krebstherapie_andrew catoAmadeus Bramsiepe, KIT
New approaches in cancer therapy

[28.09.2023]
Andy Cato's research group has developed novel inhibitors for advanced prostate and breast cancers that are resistant to conventional hormone deprivation therapies.

KIT press release
2nd place - NEULAND Innovation Contest 2023

[26.06.2023]
3D Bioprinting of Personalized Bio Heart Valves Explained in Brief | NEULAND Innovation Competition 2023

Youtube link

top cited paper in The FEEB Journal
Congratulations to Véronique Orian-Rousseau whose paper has been recognized as a top cited paper in "The FEBS Journal"

News_2023_02_27_2
New method for high-throughput purification

[27.02.2023]
A new method for high-throughput purification of synthesized compounds using miniaturized liquid-liquid extraction on a chip has been developed to accelerate drug discovery by allowing synthesis and screening to be carried out on the same platform. Congratulations to Janne Wiedmann and co-authors!

News_2023_02_27_1
A review in Advanced Functional Materials

[27.02.2023]
A review in Advanced Functional Materials about the use of emerging 3D microprinting technologies for designing and fabricating super-repellent microstructures has been published, highlighting the remarkable properties and new functionalities offered by intricate 3D topographies, as well as the potential for further advancements in liquid super-repellent materials. Congratulations to authors!

PD_Gary_DavidsonIBCS-FMS
Congratulations to Privatdozent Gary Davidson

[19.12.2022]
Gary successfully completed his Habilitation as a Privatdozent last Friday.

Siegfried WaldvogelE. Lichtenscheidt
New group leader

[27.06.2022]
As of July 1, Professor Siegfried Waldvogel (JGU Mainz) is the new senior scientist and group leader at the IBCS-FMS in a part-time capacity.

FEBS Advanced Lecture CourseFEBS Advanced Lecture Course
Poster Award (1st Place)

[16.05.2022]
Congratulations to Lisa-Marie Mehner (Orian-Rousseau Group) for receiving the poster  award for an outstanding poster presentation (1st Place) at the FEBS Advanced Lecture Course on Matrix Pathobiology in Crete, Greece.

Orian-Rousseau Lab: Check out our new paper in Cell Death & Disease!

[22.02.2022]
Wnt signaling is boosted during intestinal regeneration by a CD44-positive feedback loop
Romina J. Walter, Steffen J. Sonnentag, Leonel Munoz-Sagredo, Melanie Merkel, Ludovic Richert, Felix Bunert, Yvonne M. Heneka, Thomas Loustau, Michael Hodder, Rachel A. Ridgway, Owen J. Sansom, Yves Mely, Ulrich Rothbauer, Mark Schmitt & Véronique Orian-Rousseau 

Link to paper
319Anastasiya Sultanova , KIT
New research building at Campus North opened

Biology meets chemistry: Interdisciplinary research on 5 800 square meters. The new building was officially opened on October 29, 2020.

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