Our Facilities

Gas Chromatography

Two Shimadzu GCs (GC-2010) comprised of a general-purpose column with a low-polarity phase (diphenyl dimethylpolysiloxane) and a flame ionization detector allow for kinetic studies.

Size Exclusion Chromatography

To characterize our macromolecules regarding their molar mass distributions, several SECs are running with various solvents both organic (chloroform, THF, dimethyl acetamide) and aqueous. The different SEC systems (Agilent/PSS, Jasco, Shimadzu) are equipped with RI and UV detectors for routine analysis as well as a viscometer and a multi angle light scattering detector to determine intrinsic viscosities and absolute molar masses, respectively. Additionally, one SEC is equipped with a semi-preparative column for polymer purification.

Analytical Ultracentrifugation 

Analytical Ultracentrifugation utilizes the density difference between colloid and solvent for their separation according to size, shape, and density in almost any solvent of choice. It is the most eminent method in colloidal characterization science and allows assessment of absolute molar masses, heterogeneity in samples, as well as degree of aggregation of colloidal objects. It is very powerful as well to characterize nanoparticulate materials.

Automated Parallel Capillary Viscometry

The Lauda viscosity measuring system PVS 1/4 is an automated parallel system in which up to four capillaries can be used. The measuring stand S5 can work with Ubbelohde, Cannon-Fenske or Ostwald capillaries, covering a viscosity range from 0.3 up to 50.000 mPas. The autosampler provides a high sample throughput up to 63 samples, depending on reservoir size, which can be processed in one setting. Also hot polymer solutions or oils can be handled in the heated rack with heated dosing syringe. In addition, the cleaning module VRM provides fully automatic cleaning and drying of the viscometers. The attached dosimat allows the determination of the limiting viscosity through different concentration steps, in conjunction with a dilution viscometer, thus allowing the determination of the molar mass by using, e.g., the Mark-Houwink-Sakurada equation. 

Photo DSC

The Netzsch 204 F1 Phoenix is a Photo Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). This is a scientific instrument used to study the thermal properties of materials. It measures the heat flow associated with physical and chemical changes occurring in a sample as it is subjected to controlled temperature variations.

The DSC works by comparing the heat flow of a sample to that of a reference material while both are subjected to the same temperature program. When the sample undergoes phase transitions (such as melting, crystallization, or chemical reactions), it absorbs or releases heat, which is detected and recorded by the DSC. The resulting data provides valuable insights into the material's melting points, phase transitions, enthalpy changes, purity, and other thermal properties.

By combining UV-light exposure with thermal analysis, Photo DSC can provide insights into light-induced effects, such as photochemical reactions and photothermal events, which are not observable with standard DSC. This technique is particularly useful in studying photoactive materials, light-sensitive chemicals, and various photophysical processes. It helps researchers understand how a material responds to both thermal and light stimuli, contributing to a deeper understanding of its properties and behavior.

Supported by the
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

ESI/APCI-TOF mass spectrometer

The micrOTOF QII is a Time-of-Flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The instrument is equipped with either an Electrospray Ionization (ESI) source for the analysis of polar analytes or an Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) source for the analysis of nonpolar substances. Additionally, the instrument can be coupled to an HPLC system (Agilent 1200 series with diode array detector) to separate sample components prior to mass spectrometry.

MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometer

The Ultraflex III is a Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) tandem mass spectrometer. Two operating modes of the Time-of-Flight (TOF) analyzer allow the analysis of large molecules in linear mode as well as the detection of small molecules with higher mass resolution using the reflector mode. The instrument is additionally equipped with a LIFT unit which enables the performance of MS/MS experiments.

Class II Biological Safety Cabinets

For personnel and product protection the labs are equipped with overall five Maxisafe 2020 Class II Biological Safety Cabinets from Thermo Scientific used for cell culture work on eukaryotic cells and bacteria as well as for preparation of cytotoxic drugs or nanoparticle formulation under sterile conditions.

CO₂ Incubators

For in vitro culture of cells overall four Thermo Scientific Heracell 240i CO₂ Incubators with Stainless-Steel Chambers, one Eppendorf Galaxy 170 S incubator and one Memmert Inc 108 incubator provide the ideal in vitro environment concerning gas control, humidity and temperature. The large capacity models can accomodate shakers, roller bottle apparatus, and other small equipment.

Ultrapure Water Purification System

GenPure System from Thermo Scientific provides highly deionized and sterile water for cell culture application, nanoparticle formulation and other purposes. It allows for simultaneous dispensing from two remote dispensers, one located in a Class II Biological Safety Cabinet for sterile water sampling. The system comes with leak detection, electronic dispensing for fully automatic volume control and feed water monitoring that alerts users to fluctuations in the feed water quality.

Centrifuges

Two Eppendorf Centrifuges 5804/5804 R (one with T-control range from -9°C to 40°C) with fixed and swing-bucket rotors for different tubes and multiwall plates offer a big versatility for applications in cell culture, biochemistry, molecular biology and nanoparticle formulation/purification. They have a maximum relative centrifugal force/speed of 20.000 x g /14.000 rpm.

Drying ovens

Overall three Heratherm Ovens from Thermo Scientific are used for routine heating and drying applications of labware as well as for controlled incubation of e. g. self healing materials, nanoparticle stability studies etc. They can be operated between 50°C to 250°C and are equipped with automatic over-temperature alarm system, timer and corrosion-resistant stainless steel chambers with rounded corners.

Confocal Laserscanning Microscope with Superresolution and Live cell imaging

With the Zeiss LSM 880 in combination with ELYRA Superresolution PS.1 we have a very flexible imaging system for conventional confocal laser scanning microscopy and 3D superresolution microscopy in one device. Equiped with a live cell imaging incubation unit imaging experiments with living cells over longer periods are possible. The ELYRA PS.1 provides two superresolution systems: (i) superresolution structured illumination (SR-SIM) to image fine structural details with up to twice the resolution of a conventional light microscope while remaining free to label your samples with conventional dyes; and (ii) superresolution photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) for photo-activatable endogenously-expressed fluorescent proteins or synthetic dyes. With PALM a localization of small structures and even single molecules down to resolutions of 20 nm laterally and 50 nm axially is possible.

Inverse Microscope

Zeiss Axiovert A1 Inverse microscope with transmitted light [LED light source] and different objectives for every day use in cell culture work equipped with Long distance 5 x; 10 x; 20 x; 40 x with final magnification 50 x to 400 x, a 1.4 Mega Pixel Color camera and ZEN PRO Software.

Transmission electron microscope

The FEI Tecnai G² 20 is used to investigate nanoparticles as well as biological samples. The scope of applications covers in this sense the whole spectrum of studying crystalline structures up to the localization of nanoparticles in cells.

The system is facilitated with a number of measurement options, which allow, e.g. a three-dimensional determination of structures. This is enabled by a stage goniometer with a large tilt range of -70° to + 70°. Additionally, the TEM includes equipment for performing cryo-TEM investigations, which permits in particular the study of polymer nanoparticles in amorphous ice films, thus, maintaining the particles in a solution-like state. Sample preparation is conducted in this case with the help of a Vitrobot Mark IV system to ensure reproducible sample preparation. For biological systems a cryo ultramicrotome (RMS PowerTome) is used for preparation of thin sample slices. The TEM utilizes either a 1 x 1k Megaview camera (Olympus Soft Imaging Solution) or a high-resolution 4 x 4k CCD camera (EAGLE). Chemical analysis of sample composition is enabled by a EDX-System (Bruker), which works in combination with a scan control which operates in Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) mode.

Scanning force microscopy

Within the group four scanning force microscopes (two NT-MDT Integra systems, one NT-MDT LS and a DI Multimode) are available. All microscopes are prepared for conducting measurements in liquids and can perform electrical conductivity scans. The NT-MDT systems facilitate moreover a powerful lithography software package, which allows structuring of samples with a nanometer resolution. The DI Multimode system additionally contains a stand-alone scanning tunneling microscopy unit to perform high resolution STM investigations of crystalline samples or molecules.

Multimode plate reader

TECAN Infinite M200 PRO offers high performance detection solutions based on monochromator optics with free wavelength selection (230 to 1.000 nm in absorbance mode and 280 to 850 nm in fluorescence mode), spectral scanning in both absorbance and fluorescence modes and additional temperature control. The luminescence module is completely separate from the fluorescence and absorbance optics, ensuring superb performance for glow, flash and dual-color luminescence applications. It is equipped with a NanoQuant Plate for absorbance-based, small volume nucleic acid analyses. Fluorescence signal detection in microplates is possible with top or bottom reading fluorescence measurements. All conventional multiwell plate formats up to 384 wells and custom designed plate formats can be measured.

Real-time PCR

The qTOWER³ from AnalytikJena is a real-time PCR thermal cycler with a patented fiber optic shuttle system with a light source powered by four high-performance LEDs which guarantees ideal excitation and detection of known fluorescent dyes up to the dark red. The silver block technology offers control accuracy of only ± 0.1°C over the entire 96 well block which is additionally equipped with a linear gradient function to adjust the instrument to new assays.

Gel and Blot Imager

DNR MF-ChemiBIS is an image analysis system for fluorescent, chemiluminescent, and colorimetric applications. It is equipped with a software controlled robotic camera which motorizes up and down automatically, zoom lens with a wide field of view, liquid cooled camera to temperatures down to -70°C enabling high accuracy, longer exposure time (up to 24 hours), minimal dark noise and full stability of the system. It includes an automatic drawer detection technology of the three different drawers (UV, WL, ECL) for an optimal match with the light source and sample.

Nanoparticle characterization

Malvern Panalytical NanoSight NS500  is a single particle zeta potential platform with integrated fluidics for automation. The instrument provides an easy-to-use, reproducible platform for nanoparticle characterization. It provides detailed and intuitive analysis of the size distribution and concentration of all types of nanoparticles from 10 nm to 2.000 nm in diameter. Single particle zeta potential measurements provide inherent high resolution zeta distributions which can be measured simultaneously with other NTA measurement parameters like size, particle concentration and can even operate whilst in fluorescence mode. Samples are introduced into the viewing chamber using the integrated fluidics capability. On-screen pump control allows for automatic sample handling, including loading, washing and dilution. Software-controlled motorized optical stages enable rapid relocation and refocusing. Sample temperature is fully programmable through the software.