Sign in

Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI)

@mpici.bsky.social
2.3K followers 1.6K following 391 posts

Exploring the world of 'hidden dimensions': #colloids & #interfaces, and bridging the gap between molecules, multi-scale materials, and bio-systems. In Potsdam, Germany. www.mpikg.mpg.de #chemsky #Forschung #Research

PostsRepliesMedia
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 20h
The simplest atom is anything but simple to control. More than 100 years after atomic hydrogen was first produced, researchers have found a light-driven way to generate H• and use it as a practical, metal-free tool for organic synthesis. Read more: www.mpikg.mpg.de/6939239/news...
Nils J. Flodén is working on the photoreactor, which directs UV light onto the sample as it rotates. © MPIKG The photoreactor in action. © MPIKG
010
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Thank you again for the interview – what perfect timing on the day of the 2026 Nobel Prize for Chemistry announcement! 👏
000
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
We had the opportunity to talk to Ben Feringa, the 2016 Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry, at the SusMax Workshop in Berlin. @feringalab.bsky.social He talks about originality in research, interdisciplinary networks like SusMax, and the molecular design challenges behind sustainable materials. ⬇️⬇️
120
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Wir bilden aus! 📣 Zum 01.09.2027 suchen wir eine/n Auszubildende/n zur/zum Kauffrau/-mann für Büromanagement (m/w/d) Schwerpunkt: Personalmanagement & Assistenz/Sekretariat. ➡️ Jetzt weiterleiten oder selbst bewerben: www.mpikg.mpg.de/karriere
020
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
We were delighted to welcome Prof Colm Delaney from Trinity College Dublin to our Institute for a talk on direct laser writing! He showed how focused laser light can be used to build complex three-dimensional structures with features down to the nanoscale. Thank you, Colm, for the great exchange! 👏
020
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
A special honor for Markus Antonietti: He has received the 2026 Ostwald Prize 🏅 The Director of the Colloid Chemistry Department was awarded with one of the most prestigious awards in the field of colloid science. More information: www.mpikg.mpg.de/6938413/a-sp...
Certificate and medal awarded to the winner, Markus Antonietti.
041
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Congratulations to Rumiana Dimova for receiving the Agnes Pockels Award! 👏👏
030
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Ana herself says about the award: “I believe the award is a collective achievement resulting from the hard work of the entire team, so congratulations to all of us! I'm especially thankful to my supervisor Dr. Vera Marie Titze and Prof. Silvia Vignolini for their constant guidance and support!” 👏
010
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Congratulations to Ana Karina Riaño for winning third place in the 2026 Applied Photonics Poster Award by the @dpgphysik.bsky.social for her poster presentation entitled “Inducing nematic defects in living photonic materials by topological confinement”! 🎉 #WomeninSTEM #Photonics #Physics
151
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Open Postdoc Position in bioinspired protein materials (@vignolinilab.bsky.social)! We are recruiting a Postdoc in biochemistry, material science and recombinant protein synthesis for this project: www.susmax.org/2026/02/12/p... Apply here until 31 October 2026: jobs.mpikg.mpg.de/jobposting/9...
Open Postdoc Position
032
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Thanks to Elias Sabri, @mangiarotti.bsky.social, Clemens Schmitt and @dimovalab.bsky.social 👏 #biophysics #softmatter #condensates
020
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
➡️ More broadly, this approach provides a new way to “see“ the chemistry of biomolecular condensates – without altering the properties of the system we want to understand. Paper: advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Seeing the Chemistry of Biomolecular Condensates: In Situ Mapping of Composition and Water Content
Raman hyperspectral imaging combined with spectral phasor analysis enables a label-free quantification of proteins, polymers and water density within individual biomolecular condensates. By transform...
111
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
In vitro, the spectral phasor analysis approach also showed higher precision than standard post-processing methods. This allows to estimate the contributions of polymers and water, and measure the partitioning of molecules inside droplets without relying on destructive sample preparation.
100
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Under a microscope, biomolecular condensates look like tiny droplets. But what exactly is inside them? 🧫 A new paper in Advanced Science presents a label-free approach combining Raman spectroscopy and spectral phasor analysis to map the chemical composition of biomolecular condensates in situ. ⬇️⬇️

The picture shows first author Elias Sabri looking through a microscope in the lab. Using Raman spectroscopy, the research team can see the composition of tiny condensate droplets. Credit: MPIKG
1115
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Lithium is an important raw material, but extracting it from natural solutions involves complex separation processes. An international research team was able to use light and an electric voltage to control which ions pass through a membrane. ➡️ Read more: www.mpikg.mpg.de/6937908/news...
040
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Learn more about Charlotte's research group: www.mpikg.mpg.de/6897238/orga... 💡 This is a new monthly series exploring the science behind the images from our labs. Stay tuned for more! Photo: Maik Rosentreter
mpikg.mpg.de
Organofluorine Chemistry and Innovative Catalysis Paradigms
000
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The result is visible to the naked eye: a striking range of colours, from rusty red and turquoise green, reminiscent of copper roofs, to deep blue. The colours arise from changes in the chemical environment and electronic structure of the metal complexes, which affect how they absorb light.
100
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It shows iron and copper catalysts used in photochemical reactions and, together, their different colours almost look like a rainbow. By adding small molecules, called ligands, which bind to the metal atoms, the researchers can deliberately tune the properties of the catalysts.
110
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Science Picture of the Month September 🌈 This colourful image was taken by Maik Rosentreter, who is currently an intern in Charlotte Teschers research group, “Organofluorine Chemistry and Innovative Catalysis Paradigms”, in the Department of Biomolecular Systems. ⬇️⬇️
Photo: Maik Rosentreter
131
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
It was a pleasure to welcome @ahugumrah.bsky.social from the University of Manchester. 👏 She explored how beetles create striking optical effects, such as vivid colours, through precisely organised structures rather than pigments, and how studying these structures can inspire new photonic materials.
050
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
We congratulate our Director, Prof. Peter H. Seeberger, on receiving the Liebig Medal from the @gdch.de. The award recognises his significant contributions to carbohydrate chemistry. ➡️ More information: www.mpikg.mpg.de/6937361/pete... Photo: GDCh/Maik Schulze, Berlin
072
Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI)
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft @maxplanck.de · 09/09/2026
We are hiring! Start at a #MaxPlanckInstitute with your own independent Max Planck Research Group. This position is equivalent to a W2 Professorship at a German university, or Associate Professor internationally. 🔗Apply until October 14th! www.mpg.de/career/max-p... #ScienceCareer #MPRG #TenureTrack
Call for independent Max Planck Research Groups
0112136
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Bitte teilen 👇 Wir suchen zum nächsten Jahr eine/n Auszubildende/n zur/zum Fachinformatiker/in der Fachrichtung Systemintegration (m/w/d). 👉 Bewerbungsfrist ist der 31.03.2027. 👉 Hier bewerben: jobs.mpikg.mpg.de/jobposting/3... #Azubigesucht #Job #Stellenausschreibung #Fachinformatik #Ausbildung
010
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Thank you for your visit, Gerd Schröder-Turk (@murdoch.edu.au)! In his talk, he explained how some green butterflies get their bright colors. These butterflies don't use pigments to color their wings. Instead, they produce their color through a 3D nanostructure (gyroid) that interacts with light. 🦋
031
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Only one week left to apply! Are you still thinking about applying to our #IMPRS for Functional Material Design? Swipe through to find out how to apply. 📅 Application deadline: 15 September 2026 ➡️ Find all the information you need and apply on our website: imprs.mpikg.mpg.de
021
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
For the visuals, we used illustrations that Rumiana Dimova created for the review herself. They offer a nice way to give a glimpse into the science behind the paper, and the drawings are too good not to show them. 👏 @natureportfolio.nature.com
020
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
How do cells organize their crowded interior? A review by @dimovalab.bsky.social & @mangiarotti.bsky.social explores how membranes and biomolecular condensates shape each other via phase separation. Published in Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
271
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
🧵 5/5 Who should apply: The Graduate School is open to candidates with a background in chemistry, physics, biology, biotechnology, materials science, or related disciplines who are eager to pursue interdisciplinary doctoral research. 👉 How to apply: www.imprs.mpikg.mpg.de
imprs.mpikg.mpg.de
000
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
🧵 4/5 World-class environment: We offer fully funded doctoral positions with a structured curriculum, as well as supervision and mentoring by a team of world-leading scientists. You will have access to world-class laboratory facilities.
100
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
🧵 3/5 Our network: The program is based at the @mpici.bsky.social in @potsdamsciencepark.bsky.social. It is organized in collaboration with the @unipotsdam.bsky.social, @freieuniversitaet.bsky.social, @tuberlin.bsky.social, and @humboldtuni.bsky.social.
100
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
🧵 2/5 Key research areas: Within the doctoral projects, you will address key questions in sustainable material development, including: 🔹 Harvesting abundant biopolymers 🔹 Advancing green chemistry and biotechnology 🔹 Engineering life-mimicking materials
100
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
🧵 1/5 Looking for a PhD at the interface of chemistry, biology, physics, and materials science? Apply now: www.imprs.mpikg.mpg.de Our International Max Planck Research School for Functional Material Design is offering nine doctoral positions for the upcoming year. Here's why you should apply 👇
155
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
One of the many PhD positions we offer with our new #IMPRS for Functional Material Design ⬇️⬇️ Take a look at all the projects here: imprs.mpikg.mpg.de/home/projects/
imprs.mpikg.mpg.de
Projects – IMPRS for Functional Material Design (FMD)
020
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
It was a pleasure to welcome Fiona Kearns from the @kearnslab.bsky.social ab.bsky.social at Uni Freiburg for a seminar on the molecular dynamics of the #glycocalyx. It focused on how molecular dynamics simulations can help uncover relationships between molecular structure, dynamics, and function.
030
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
NEW article: How can we learn from the way a silkworm spins its cocoon? We present an agent-based computational modelling approach based on a set of behaviors observed in the Bombyx mori silkworm. ➡️ iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1... #MattersofActivity @exc-intcdc.bsky.social #Biomaterials
071
Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI)
Potsdam Science Park @potsdamsciencepark.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Potsdam Science Park Invites You to Take Part in the Step Challenge 2026! From Sept. 1 to 29, it’s all about racking up steps together, staying active, and having fun as »Team PSP«! 👉 p-sp.link/step-challen... A #BARMER health insurance fund cooperation #stepchallenge #PotsdamSciencePark
032
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
🎓 IMPRS for Functional Material Design 🎓 To give you an idea of what the PhD's are about, here is a brief overview of the projects and their cooperation partners. Full details on the website. 📅 Application deadline: September 15, 2026 ➡️ How to apply: lnkd.in/dtC2hBk
043
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Unsere Forscherin Franziska Jehle aus der Abteilung Biomaterialien im Interview mit @rbb24.de 👇
020
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Applications are now open for the International Max Planck Research School for Functional Material Design! You can find details all of the different projects and more information on our website. ➡️ Apply now: imprs.mpikg.mpg.de 🗓 Deadline for the first round of applications is September 15, 2026.
023
Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI)
Healthcare in Europe (DE) @health-europe-de.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Forschende des @mpici.bsky.social, @freieuniversitaet.bsky.social und @exeter.ac.uk haben einen neuen Ansatz gegen den multiresistenten Krankenhauspilz #CandidaAuris entwickelt. Ein synthetisches Zuckermolekül dient dabei als Grundlage.
healthcare-in-europe.com
Candida auris: Neuer Ansatz gegen multiresistenten Krankenhauspilz
Neu identifizierte Zuckerstruktur entspricht einem Bestandteil der Oberfläche von C. auris, dient als Grundlage für einen Impfstoffkandidaten und schützende Antikörper
021
Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI)
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft @maxplanck.de · 18/08/2026
A slime for every occasion! 🐌The grove #snail (Cepaea nemoralis) can produce 5 distinct types of mucus - from slippery to sticky - by tweaking the same basic ingredients for different tasks. Basically, they’re tiny, ingenious materials scientists!🤗New study by @mpici.bsky.social
mpg.de
Following the Trail of Slime
The ribbon snail specifically adapts its mucus using the same building blocks for crawling, adhesion, and protection. Collagen VI and Calcium are essential components of snail slime.
0132
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
A synthetic sugar molecule could help fight the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris. It was used to develop a vaccine candidate, a passive immunotherapy and a rapid test prototype. @freieuniversitaet.bsky.social @mrccmm.bsky.social ➡️ onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
© TopMicrobialStock/Adobe Stock
020
Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI)
Potsdam Science Park @potsdamsciencepark.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
At PSP Conference 2026 – RESTART 📅 24 Sept. 2026, Johannes Zier, Head of Startup Service at Potsdam Transfer @unipotsdam.bsky.social will will share perspectives on turning research into entrepreneurial action. #PSPConference2026 #sciencepreneurs #deeptech #entrepreneurship #PotsdamSciencePark
PSP Conference 2026 – RESTART: Johannes Zier, Head of Startup Service at Potsdam Transfer “From Lab to Launch: Startup Support for Researchers”
142
Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI)
Science Magazine @science.org · 07/08/2026
How do snails make “slime” that can do so many jobs? In a new Science study, researchers report that collagen and calcium work together to fine-tune snail mucus’s mechanical properties for each task, offering inspiration for adhesives and other novel materials. scim.ag/45FLu7N
05110
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Let them roam... just like our brown-lipped snails, which are featured in this issue of @science.org Magazine. More info about the fascinating snail mucus and its potential applications in materials science ➡️ www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
031
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
The snail thus serves as a model for sustainable material design. The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the @mpibiochem.bsky.social. #snailmucus #biomaterials #biomimicry
020
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
New paper in @science.org from our Biomaterials Department: The slime of the common brown-lipped #snail demonstrates an extraordinary natural phenomenon: it can alter its consistency from solid to sticky to liquid using just a few molecular building blocks. ➡️ www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
The brown-lipped snail on a piece of bark. Credit: Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und GrenzflächenforschungCredit: Franziska Jehle/Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung
1318
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Join the European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network! We’re looking for a Doctoral Candidate (m/f/d) for Electrochemical Interfaces in Energy Storage. Apply now: jobs.mpikg.mpg.de/jobposting/e...
Photo: Goran Gnaudschun
094
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Our Director, Silvia Vignolini (@vignolinilab.bsky.social), in an interview about her scientific journey and the international research group she has established at the Institute. 👇👇
051
Max Planck Institute of Colloids & Interfaces (MPICI) @mpici.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
“It’s a bit like mixing paints until you get the color you want,” Samuel Humphrey from @vignolinilab.bsky.social say. Actually, he adds, “it’s better than that.” Learn more about the fascinating way in which sea snails get their remarkable colors 👇
041