JOHANNA L. TREFS
PhD student
Research
A slimy affair…
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All living beings secrete mucus, which serves different functions, including lubrication, adhesion, mineralization or defense. These beneficial properties are the result of high molecular weight glycoproteins, also called mucins, that form hydrogel networks. Furthermore, mucin-like glycoproteins are involved in defensive slime production, which is well-known from hagfish.
Through atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging, indentation and single molecule force spectroscopy as characterization methods, we can determine how these molecules work and thereby replicate these properties in synthetic, sustainable materials.
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About me
Since 09/2023: PhD student in the Balzer/Hugel Lab
11/2022 - 05/2023: M.Sc. student in the Balzer/Hugel Lab
10/2020 - 07/2023: M.Sc. in Biochemistry and Biophysics, Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg
10/2016 - 10/2020: B.Sc. Chemistry and Catholic Theology, Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg
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Publications
-2023-
K. Dai, M. D. Pol, L. Saile, A. Sharma, B. Liu, R. Thomann, J. L. Trefs, D. Qiu, S. Moser, S. Wiesler, B. N. Balzer, T. Hugel, H. J. Jessen & C. G. Pappas*
Spontaneous and selective peptide elongation in water driven by aminoacyl phosphate esters and phase changes
J. Am. Chem. Soc., 145 (48), 26086 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.3c07918
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W. Cai, J.L. Trefs, T. Hugel & B.N. Balzer*
Anisotropy of π–π stacking as basis for superlubricity
ACS Mater. Lett., 5, 172 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialslett.2c00974