Dietmar Appelhans

Dr. Dietmar Appelhans serves as Head of the Bioactive and Responsive Polymers department at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, operating within the Division of Macromolecular Chemistry under Division Director Prof. Dr. Brigitte Voit. His research leadership focuses on developing innovative polymer-based solutions with biological applications, positioning him at the forefront of advanced polymer science in Germany's prominent polymer research institution.

Dr. Appelhans' primary research interests encompass the synthesis, modification, characterization and application of dendritic and dendronized polymers, with special emphasis on sugar-decorated polymeric structures. His work explores dendritic glycoarchitectures as anti-amyloidogenic agents for potential neuro-protective applications, the development of peptide-ligand bioconjugates for targeted drug delivery, and the creation of polymersomes as enzymatic nanoreactors. He investigates the integration of these polymersomes into multicompartment systems to fabricate biomimetic cell structures, studying diffusion properties, communication mechanisms, and cargo loading/releasing capabilities. His research also extends to multienzymatic cascade reactions in microfluidic systems and the application of hydrogels as valve materials.

As department head, Dr. Appelhans leads research efforts that bridge polymer chemistry with biological applications, contributing to the institute's mission of developing advanced polymer materials for high-tech applications. His work spans from fundamental polymer synthesis to practical applications in drug delivery systems and neurodegenerative disease treatment, with significant potential for creating artificial cellular structures and responsive biomaterials.