3D Matter Made to Order

Explore the latest Special Issue of Advanced Functional Materials (Volume 34, Issue 20), featuring groundbreaking research from our Cluster of Excellence 3D Matter Made to Order (3DMM2O). This issue focuses on advances in digital 3D additive manufacturing, covering innovations from the molecular and nanometer scale to larger micro- and macroscale applications. The articles explore how these technologies are pushing the boundaries of engineering and the life sciences, offering new solutions to previously unsolvable challenges. Learn more about the future of 3D printing and the pioneering work of 3DMM2O.

Join the 4th Materials Day of the KIT Materials Center (MaTeLiS) on October 16, 2024 at the KIT Campus North. This event will bring together top scientists from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and beyond to focus on the latest innovations in self-assembling, adaptive, and biomimetic materials systems. The day will feature keynote presentations by experts such as Mr. Peter Hassenbach from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Prof. Jörg Neugebauer from the Max Planck Institute, and Dr. Frank Runge from BASF. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network and explore cutting-edge research through poster presentations. Registration is open until October 12, 2024.

A groundbreaking paper in organoid research, published in Nature Nanotechnology by Cluster Doctoral Researchers Cassian Afting, Tobias Walther, and Christina Schlagheck, along with Principal Investigators Ulrich Schwarz, Joachim Wittbrodt, and Kerstin Göpfrich, involves nanoengineered DNA microbeads that enable precise control of signaling in organoids. These microbeads enhance organoid development by providing essential biochemical cues. This technology is particularly useful for modeling complex tissues such as the retinal pigmented epithelium and holds promise for advancements in organ models, personalized medicine and disease modeling.

A recent Cluster publication introduced CART (Carrier-Based Actuatable and Reprogrammable Transport), an innovative system for remote manipulation of microcargos on both solid and liquid surfaces. Developed by Postdoctoral Researcher Nikolaj K. Mandsberg, Doctoral Researcher Julián A. Serna, and Principal Investigator Pavel Levkin, this technology revolutionizes miniaturized experiments in fields such as biology, chemistry, and diagnostics. By using a magnetic carrier to decouple the cargo from the substrate, CART overcomes traditional limitations and enables versatile, automated experimentation. Its flexibility provides a universal solution for interacting with different types of cargo.

A recent article in the Perspectives section of Nature Nanotechnology, co-authored by Cluster Principal Investigator Kerstin Göpfrich, describes the latest advances in synthetic immunology. This groundbreaking research examines how the integration of nanotechnology with synthetic biology is reshaping the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. The article highlights significant advances in the development of genetically engineered immune cells, such as CAR-T cells, and innovative bottom-up approaches that use nanoscale structures to target diseases with high precision. These advances promise to improve treatment efficacy and open up new therapeutic opportunities.

A recent paper published in Nature Communications, co-authored by PI Motomu Tanaka, presents an innovative water purification method inspired by plant proteins. The phytochelatin-inspired copolymers developed by the team effectively bind toxic heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd²⁺), providing a highly efficient and sustainable solution for water treatment. By attaching these copolymers to silica microparticles and cellulose membranes, the researchers have created a system that significantly reduces cadmium levels in water, paving the way for safer and cleaner drinking water.