Dipl.-Phys. Dr. Felix Löffler works at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Biomolecular Systems (MPIKG) in Potsdam. There he researched technologies for the production of microarrays. His multi-material nano-3D printer enables high-throughput analyses for disease research, diagnostics and materials research for the first time. The award, endowed with 20,000 euros, will be presented at the DECHEMA Forum in Friedrichshafen on September 12, 2024.
Catalysts for a decarbonized future
The microarrays offer many different biomolecules or materials on their surface. Among other things, these arrays will be used to find new biomarkers for diseases and develop new catalysts for a decarbonized future. Löffler's research group conducts research in the fields of chemistry (surface chemistry, parallel organic synthesis), materials science (synthesis of composite materials, catalysts), engineering (machine development, robotics, process automation), physics (laser processing, simulation, machine learning) and biology, biotechnology, bioinformatics (protein interactions, infectious diseases).
Doctorate and work in research
Felix Löffler studied physics and biophysics in Heidelberg. During his doctorate, he was a fellow of the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg. His work was awarded the Gips-Schüle Prize. He was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the Carl Zeiss Foundation for a junior research group at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), enabling him to conduct his first independent research in engineering sciences and biotechnology. After a stay abroad, he became a group leader at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in 2017. Despite his young career, he has already received a number of honors and scholarships.