susanne susanne

MSc. Susanne Kirchner

Photoswitches

  • Contact:

    Susanne Kirchner

  • Project Group:

    B4

Recently, our group has developed a photoswitchable 2,5-diketopiperazine-based hydrogel, consisting of (S)-lysin and an azobenzene derivative of (S)-phenylalanine. The E isomer can self-assemble in water into a three-dimensional network whereas E→Z isomerization disrupts the π-π stacking and causes dissipation of the gel. Unmodified drugs physically encapsulated inside these photoresponsive gels and released on demand with green light, which allows light-triggered drug release.[GRK43] This project aims to develop novel 2,5-diketopiperazine-based compounds that are biologically active and whose activity can controlled bioorthogonally with visible light in space and in time.