Brigitte Voit

Synthesis and characterization of functionalized polymers

Previous and current research

The group of Prof. Voit is since about 15 years engaged in the field of dendritic polymers with main focus on the imperfectly hyperbranched structures, but also more recently in some perfectly branched dendrimers. Here, the synthesis of these materials covering a variety of condensation and addition type reactions has been strongly explored, followed by an intensive characterization, elucidating the highly branched structures and their different units, looking into structure development and kinetics and making great efforts to develop more reliable molar mass determination methods. The elucidation of the structure -property profile of these branched structures, depending on repeating units, degree of branching and nature of the end groups is one of the major aspects. For that, efficient end group modification procedures have been developed which allowed to optimize the hyperbranched polymers for applications in blends, as rheology modifier in formulations, as reactive components and functional additives for coatings but also as active components e.g. in sensorics or microelectronics materials. Recently, complexing as well as biofunctional units are being incorporated into dendritic polymers to study the effect of an confined environment.

Besides, the field of dendritic polymers, the synthesis of functional polymers and different polymer architectures by free and controlled radical polymerization (RAFT, NMRP, ATRP) as well as cationic polymerization is covered by a variety of activities in the Voit group. By this, star type polymers as well as different amphiphilic and responsive polymers and hydrogels have been developed. Providing biocompatible and bioactive polymer surfaces for studies in biomedical application is one of the major issues of the current research activities. Here, especially the control of cell attachment or cell release on surfaces as well as control of the cell growth and cell differential by the surface chemistry and physical nature is addressed.

In addition, polymeric functional and patternable (by UV light or thermal treatment) surfaces were provided for site-specific attachment of nanoobjects, and block copolymers with orthogonally protected segments were synthesized providing highly ordered and stimuli selective nanostructures in thin films. The main objective of these studies is to provide a selective multifunctionality in polymer structures.

Future prospects and goals

Future projects within the DIGS-BB will focus on the integration of specific synthetic binding groups or biomolecules into hydrogels and hydrogel layers on surfaces. Concepts of molecular imprinting and bioconjugation will be explored. In this regard, especially the concept of dendritic macromolecules, decorated with complexing and bioactive groups (glyco-groups) for different biomedical applications (diagnostics, therapy, gene transfection, bioactive coatings) will be expanded.

In addition, the first successful studies in the field of nanotechnology will be expanded to transfer concepts of self assembly in polymer science to the use of nano-patterning for e.g. biosensor preparation and in nano-electronics.

About

1990: PhD graduation (summa cum laude), UBT, Germany 1991-1992: Postdoctoral position at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, NY, USA, Corporate Research Laboratories 1992-1997: Research assistant at Technical University Munich (TUM), Chair Macromolecular Materials, Germany  since 1997: C4-professorship (full professor, tenure) for "Organic Chemistry of Polymers" at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry and Textile Chemistry of the University of Technology Dresden (TUD), Germany Head of Subinstitute Macromolecular Chemistry at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (IPF), Germany  since 2002: Scientific Director of the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (IPF), Germany

Selected publications

B. Voit, A. Baier, St. Gramm, M. Nitschke, J. Rueda-Sanchez, D. Schmaljohann, V. Steinert, C. Werner, St. Zschoche: e-Polymers T_001, (2006) “Hydrophilic, amphiphilic and thermo-responsive gels synthesized for biomedical applications”.

Gouzy MF, Sperling C, Salchert K, Streller U, Simon F, Rauwolf C, Böhme F, Voit B, Werner C: In vitro Blood Compatibility of Polymeric Biomaterials through Covalent Immobilization of an Amidine Derivative, Biomaterials (2004), 25, 3493-3501

D. Appelhans, H. Komber, R. Kirchner, J. Seidel, C.-Feng Huang, D. Voigt, D. Kuckling, F.-C. Chang, B. Voit: Macromol. Rapid. Commun. 26, 586–591 (2005) “Polypeptide-shelled poly(propylene imine) dendrimers and their complexing properties towards Copper(II) ions”

M. Malkoch,R. J. Thibault, E. Drockenmuller, M. Messerschmidt, B. Voit, T. P. Russell, C. J. Hawker: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127 (42), 14942 –14949 (2005)”Orthogonal Approaches to the Simultaneous and Cascade Functionalization of Macromolecules using Click Chemistry”

Wu, P., Feldman, A. K., Nugent, A. K., Hawker, C. J., Scheel, A., Voit, B., Pyun, J., Fréchet, J. M. J., Sharpless, K. B., Fokin, V. V.: „Efficiency and fidelity in click chemistry route to triazole dendrimers via the Cu(I)-catalyzed ligation of azides and alkynes.” Angew. Chem.  2004), 116, 4018-4022.

Jörg Opitz, Felix Braun, Ralf Seidel, Wolfgang Pompe, Brigitte Voit, Michael Mertig;„Sitespecific binding and stretching of DNA molecules at UV-light patterned aminoterpolymer films“, Nanotechnology (2004), 15, 717-723

Brigitte Voit, “Hyperbranched polymers – a chance and a challenge” in “Dendrimers and Nanosciences”, Ed. Astruc D. Comptes Rendus Chemie de l’Academie des Sciences, Paris, (C.R. Chimie) , Paris (2003), 6, 821-832  and Voit, B.: „New Developments in Hyperbranched Polymers“. J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. Polym. Chem.  43: 2679-2699 (2005), Highlight/review

Home page