Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI)

PhDs & PostDocs at MPICI:
get to your keyboards & register for the MPICI #Symposium to get a glimpse into what everyone’s up to in the labs.

➡️ Register by 15 Feb.
events.mpikg.mpg.de/event/21 ⬅️

🗓️ 15 April

FLASH TALKS | PITCH YOUR RESEARCH | POSTER SESSION | NETWORKING

Registration: events.mpikg.mpg.de/e/symposium-...

De Novo Design of Glycan Foldamers with Programmable Tertiary Structure De novo molecular design has yielded proteins and peptides with structures and functions beyond those found in nature. Despite the potential for glycans to form a broader scope of well-defined tertiary architectures, owing to the numerous conjugation sites and stereocenters, no one has yet built glycans with targeted structures and functions from scratch. Here, we designed glycan sequences that fold into programmable 3D architectures. Starting from first-principles, we create a linear glycan that spontaneously adopts a rigid tertiary structure not reported for natural glycans. Considering stereochemical and spatial orientation, we identify a rigid trisaccharide turn unit that programs backbone directionality, driving folding into antiparallel geometry. The combination of this turn unit with multiple cellulose-like strands completes our design, stabilizing a tertiary sheet-like folding, as confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). To quantitatively evaluate the conformational landscape of our glycans in aqueous solution, we built a semiautomated protocol that integrates SAXS data with molecular dynamics simulations, demonstrating further the effectiveness of our design principles. This is an important step to design and control conformation populations, not just single structures in the solid state or of unknown prevalence in the solution phase. Together, these results show that glycans can be programmed to adopt rigid tertiary structures on demand, opening new avenues for de novo glycan-based architectures in synthetic glycobiology, catalysis, and materials science.

De novo design of glycan foldamers with programmable tertiary structure out today in @jacs.acspublications.org

Congrats to Yadiel!
With Nishu Yadav, Martin Rosenthal and Yu Ogawa

@mpici.bsky.social @cermav.bsky.social

pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

A researcher explains structural color to school pupils

A researcher explains structural color to school pupils

🔬Heute entdeckte eine Klasse der #Voltaireschule in #Potsdam die Geheimnisse der #Strukturfarbe.

Der beste Moment blieb off-camera: Wir waren einfach zu begeistert, im Labor zu sehen, wie #Zellulose mit periodischen #Nanostrukturen Licht lenkt – und Farbe ganz ohne Pigmente entsteht. 🌈

Today, on #CleanEnergyDay we want to remind everyone that the #energy transition is one of the greatest challenges of our time! At FHI, we work on solutions together with kindred spirits worldwide. Let's do research for our planet!

#InternationalDayOfCleanEnergy

Unravelling the Secret of Sulfur Confinement and High Sulfur Utilization in Hybrid Sulfur‐Carbons Thermal condensation of inverse vulcanized sulfur-carbon hybrids enables a bottom-up sulfur confinement strategy, in which a protective carbon phase is progressively constructed around sulfur species....

From plant-based linalool, our scientists made sulfur-rich polymers that form a #sulfur–carbon hybrid—confining & stabilising sulfur.
Result: a high-performance room-temp #sodium–sulfur#cathode from abundant, sustainable resources.

🔋Better #nanoscale design ➡️ better #batteries

tinyurl.com/4avfnb8u

The Future of Medicine: Automating Chemistry with Peter Seeberger In this episode of "On The Go," we visit the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces to meet Peter Seeberger, a visionary chemist and entrepreneur who is transforming the world of medicine. Discover how Peter and his team are automating the complex process of synthesizing carbohydrates (sugars), reducing a task that once took years to just a single day. We explore the cutting-edge Artemiflow technology and the concept of a "self-driving lab"—where AI and automation work 24/7 to predict and execute chemical reactions with unprecedented precision. 0:00 Intro: Meet Peter Seeberger 0:31 Automation vs. Traditional Chemistry 1:18 The Carbohydrate Synthesis Revolution 2:02 How the "Sugar Machine" Works 2:46 From "Bucket Chemistry" to Flow Reactors 3:30 Artemiflow: Real-World Medical Impact 4:15 The Concept of the "Self-Driving Lab" 5:03 Decentralized Medicine: Pharmacies in a Container 5:45 Is Automation a Threat to Jobs? 6:24 The Future: Curiosity-Driven Science 7:05 Outro: Scaling Innovation from Germany In this video, you'll learn about: The revolutionary machine that automates carbohydrate synthesis. How "sugar chemistry" is being used to develop new vaccines and diagnostic tools. The move from "bucket chemistry" to "pipe chemistry" (flow reactors) for safer, more efficient production. Peter’s vision for remote drug factories that could provide life-saving medications to countries with limited pharmaceutical infrastructure. Is automation a job killer for chemists, or the key to a more competitive and innovative future? Join us for an inspiring look at how curiosity-driven science is solving global challenges. Hashtags #Chemistry #Innovation #Automation #MaxPlanckInstitute #DrugDiscovery #Vaccines #Biotech #PeterSeeberger #Artemiflow #FutureOfMedicine #ScienceCommunication #Entrepreneurship

What does a "self-driving lab" look like & how could #sugars shape the future of #medicine?
In BMS labs, #AI & #automation predict & execute #carbohydrate synthesis, enabling new #vaccines & diagnostic tools.

Long-term vision: remote drug factories w/ limited infrastructure.

tinyurl.com/535pvpm4

Sustainable and Bio-inspired Materials

Exciting news @vignolinilab.bsky.social: 4 scientists have secured prestigious fellowships to explore nature’s design principles.

🎉Congrats to: Antonio Carone (Code𝛘 Priority Programme @dfg.de) & @humboldt-foundation.de Fellows: Gaoyuan Hou, Jingjiang Wei, & Ran Zhao🎉

www.mpikg.mpg.de/sbm

Zinc and hydroxyapatite co-localize during in vitro E. coli biofilms mineralization - Scientific Reports Biofilms are biological materials that form as bacteria protect themselves from environmental challenges secreting extracellular matrix and accumulating minerals under specific conditions. To understa...

What do Zn, hydroxyapatite and bacteria have in common? They can all be found in E. coli biofilm! 🧫🦠
Check out my latest paper in the group of @cmbidan.bsky.social at @mpici.bsky.social in collaboration with Ioanna Mantouvalou and Leona Bauer at @tuberlin.bsky.social

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Postdoctoral Position (m/f/d) in 2D Covalent Thin Films for Light-Induced Energy Conversion

❗Deadline extended: 1st February❗

On your marks, steady, apply and shape the future of #EnergyConversion & #EnergyStorage with @paologiusto.bsky.social

tinyurl.com/y5crap7n

#ChemSky #PostDoc #AcademicJobs #ResearchCareer #AcademicLife #ScienceJob

Is it possible to conceive & manufacture #polyester with built-in recyclability for a sustainable future & #CircularEconomy?

Manuel Häußler is tackling the challenge at #WissenschaftLive by @maxplanck.de

📆Tue, 20 Jan
🕒3:30 - 4:45 pm CET
📍Online (registration required)
➡️ tinyurl.com/2ncte899

New week, new paper out: mirror-image #glycans are still rarely used to design #carbohydrate materials, but they can reveal the rules of how these materials form & help researchers control their synthesis.
#glycotime #chemsky

Synthetic Methodology and Reaction Design

Happy & proud: @molloylab.bsky.social is joining @freieuniversitaet.bsky.social in March, where John will take up a professorship.

We look forward to the next collaborations!

1) Molloy group recap: tinyurl.com/5duwhfus
3) LUMIBOR @erc.europa.eu project tinyurl.com/c27hvn8x

Media Library

In our #MediaLibrary, our scientists share their work in behind a mic or a camera.

Explore last year’s selection: rethinking #plastics, nature-inspired #materials, greener #batteries, and a 2025 highlights roundup.

www.mpikg.mpg.de/media

Congratulations!

#ChemSky & #MatSci interested in strategies & schemes (defect&crystal engineering, spatial charge separation, heteroatom doping, cocatalyst engineering, Z-scheme formation) for #CarbonNitride -based #photocatalyst systems:

Dr. Pelicano's research agenda:
tinyurl.com/ywv7rm7p

Studentische Hilfskraft zur Unterstützung bei der Qualitätskontrolle und Datenpflege einer neuen Gefahrenstoffdatenbank (m/w/d)

🎓 Studentische #Hilfskraft gesucht 🎓

❗Bewerbung bis 04.01.2026❗

✔ #Qualitätskontrolle: Einträge prüfen (Alt- #Datenbank)
✔ Fehler korrigieren, #Daten ergänzen/aktualisieren
✔ #Sicherheitsdatenblätter eingeben & pflegen (Neu- #Datenbank)

tinyurl.com/2j5krevf

… and so it’s 2026! 🎉

Stay tuned as we study nature to inspire new technologies, cleaner energy, and medical applications.

Facts & Highlights:
➡️ tinyurl.com/bdhpssjz

• a new International Research School
• new projects for #SusMax: www.susmax.org
• 5th dept.: director search underway

AI-generated Christmassy image of MPICI

We'll be taking a break on BlueSky until the New Year, but you can follow us on #LinkedIn, where we've scheduled a review of 2025 to keep you company over the holidays!

➡️ www.linkedin.com/company/3823...

An event to look forward to in #2026: our PhDs & postdocs are organizing a symposium to share research approaches, pitch ideas, & connect.

Researchers from >40 countries & 4 depts—all drawing inspiration from nature to tackle technological challenges
= perfect recipe for an inspiring get-together!

Studentische Hilfskraft zur Unterstützung bei der Qualitätskontrolle und Datenpflege einer neuen Gefahrenstoffdatenbank (m/w/d)

🎓 Studentische #Hilfskraft gesucht 🎓

❗Bewerbung bis 04.01.2026❗

✔ #Qualitätskontrolle: Einträge prüfen (Alt- #Datenbank)
✔ Fehler korrigieren, #Daten ergänzen/aktualisieren
✔ #Sicherheitsdatenblätter eingeben & pflegen (Neu- #Datenbank)

tinyurl.com/2j5krevf

Start-up Humify aus Teltow: Zu schön, um schnell zu sein Ein Chemieprofessor und ein Industriemanager verbünden sich zur Weltrettung. Dann erfahren sie, wie steinig der Weg zum Geschäftserfolg ist. Aber aufgeben gilt nicht.

"Vll. sieht das nächste große Ding ja aus wie Kaffeesatz und riecht eigentümlich nach Karamell. Künstlicher #Humus, hergestellt aus #Pflanzenresten, soll den Landwirten Ernten bringen & das #Klimaretten. Alles auch #MadeInGermany" -Sebastian Balzter #FAZ zum Start-Up #Humify

tinyurl.com/32u4vmv9

Looking forward to your seminar!

Last week, the visit of the #ScientificAdvisoryBoard gave us the chance to showcase & discuss our research– w. external reviewers, but also w. 200+ scientists from across our 4 depts & more than 40 nations.
🧪 Looking forward to what international & interdisciplinary cooperation will bring in 2026! 🧪

Our automatic weighing station got a #Xmas make-over 🎄
Besides controlling temperature and humidity, it’s busy analyzing #biodegradable #plastic samples – showcasing how our technical units support scientists with customized solutions.

Big thanks to our technical & electronic teams!

Among who we're proud to count Yu Ogawa: www.mpikg.mpg.de/6917514/news...

A New Spin on an Old Material:Yu Ogawa’s ERC Project to Uncover How Nature Makes Cellulose –and to Recreate It in the Lab ERC consolidator Grant won by Yu Ogawa

We use #cellulose everywhere–yet don't fully grasp how nature spins its architecture. With an #ERCCoG, Yu Ogawa will uncover this mechanism & rebuild it to blueprint cellulose manufacturing from scratch, testing structures that nature can’t form.
@erc.europa.eu
#MatSci #ChemSky
tinyurl.com/463hdp6a

Postdoctoral Position (m/f/d) in 2D Covalent Thin Films for Light-Induced Energy Conversion

Before you tiptoe into the end of the year, make sure you apply for this #PostdoctoralPosition. You may start 2026 joining @paologiusto.bsky.social to design & synthesize 2D covalent #semiconductor thin films for #EnergyStorage & #EnergyConversion solutions.
‼️ Deadline: 12 Dec ‼️
tinyurl.com/yeyk22fp

Excited to host Dewpoint Therapeutics for two workshops!

🔬 Drug Discovery: from bench to clinic + how condensate biology changes the game.
🚀 Life in Biotech: exploring biotechnology, real-world applications, and how to work in this industry.

More details: www.comeincell.org/events-curre...

Next Monday, 8 Dec at 2 pm CET (Berlin time), join a 2h online lecture on drug development involving biomolecular #condensates by Dr. Diana Mitrea (Dewpoint Therapeutics) & organized by @comeincell.bsky.social

🔗 info & registration:
tinyurl.com/3xsd9tmu

Making our institute look a little Christmassy. This is how our library team does it.
Some fun facts from 2025:
• most borrowed book: Carbohydrate Chemistry, B. G. Davis
• 170 publications
• most of our publications in @angewandtechemie.bsky.social, @jacs.acspublications.org, @natcomms.nature.com