Program

It is a great pleasure to invite you to our 1^st International Symposium on “Dynamic Hydrogels at Biointerfaces“ which will take place from October 6-7, 2022 at the Freie Universität Berlin. This symposium is part of our Collaborative Research Center SFB 1449 „Dynamic Hydrogels at Biointerfaces“ (www.sfb1449.de) with a major focus on mucus.

We offer several exciting invited lectures and sessions on mucus biology, analysis, rheology, glycobiology and peptides. Additionally, the SFB will present its collaborative projects.
The overarching goal of this CRC symposium is to discuss the key parameters that determine protective hydrogel function at biological interfaces. The CRC initiative is driven by biomedical questions with a long-term and increasingly translational perspective:
(1) understanding the structure, properties and dynamics of hydrogels at biointerfaces at the molecular level; by complementary experimental and theoretical approaches;
(2) dynamic behavior and modelling of native vs. synthetic hydrogels; definition of the barrier function of the glycocalyx and mucus as well as interaction of interfacial layers;
(3) Overcoming barrier dysfunction to prevent infection and inflammation by synthetic mucus-mimetics, modulation of mucus (dys)function by mucolytic agents and to develop and test the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of our strategies.

We are convinced that only a transdisciplinary approach based on expertise in physics, chemistry, material sciences, biology, and medicine that is integrated with frontline modeling approaches will allow the much needed comprehensive investigation of the complex and dynamic hydrogel networks at biointerfaces of the airways and intestine.

We are looking forward to welcome you in Berlin.

Prof. Dr. Rainer Haag & Prof. Dr. Marcus Mall
Spokesperson and Deputy Spokesperson of the CRC 1449