Research Themes:
Instrumentation, Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy
Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine
Molecular and Cellular Engineering

Education

Habilitation (physical chemistry), University of Heidelberg, 2010
PhD (physics), Max-Planck-Institute of Colloid and Interface Science, 2005

Research Summary

• Surface Analysis
• Non-Linear Optical Spectroscopy
• Structure-Function Models for Biomolecules
• Extracellular Matrix

Contact Information

Department of Bioengineering
University of Washington
Molecular Engineering & Sciences Building,
G21 NESAC/BIO, Box 351653
4000 15th Ave NE.
Seattle, WA  98195-1653
Tel:  (206) 543-1766
Fax:  (206) 543-3778
E-mail
Web site: http://faculty.washington.edu/koelsch/

Research Description

The characterization and control of solid/liquid interfaces is at the forefront of a range of topics including regenerative medicine, biofouling, implant technology, and medical diagnostics. My primary research activities originate from the need to probe conformation and orientation of biomolecules (DNA, peptides, proteins, antibodies...) in contact to a solid surface with molecular-level resolution and under standard conditions in situ and in vitro. My current research interests include structure-function models for biomolecules and ordering phenomena within the extracellular matrix of adherent cells. 

Professional Experience

• 2005-2006 Research Assistant, Department of Anisotropic Fluids, University of Leipzig, Germany.
• 2006-2011 Research Group Leader for Optical Spectroscopy, Department of Applied Physical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Germany
• 2008-2011 Research Group Leader for Optical Spectroscopy and Biofunctional Interfaces, Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, KIT, Germany
• 2011-Present Research Assistant Professor, Dept. of Bioengineering, Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA

Selected Activities and Honors

• 2005 Prize for the best PhD thesis in the field of colloid- and interface science.
• 2006-2011 Lecturer in physical chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences, University of Heidelberg.
• 2009-2011 Scientific section leader for surface analysis and microscopy and member of the selection committee for the BioInterfaces International Graduate School (BIF-IGS).
• 2010-2011 Contact person for the Surface Analysis Platform of the BioInterfaces Programme at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, KIT.

Selected Publications

• Diesner, M.; Welle, A.; Kazanci, M.; Kaiser, P.; Spatz, J.; Koelsch, P., In vitro observation of dynamic ordering processes in the extracellular matrix of living, adherent cells. Biointerphases 2011, 6, (4), 171.
• Verreault, D.; Kurz, V.; Howell, C.; Koelsch, P., Sample cells for probing solid/liquid interfaces with broadband sum-frequency-generation spectroscopy. In Review of Scientific Instruments, 2010; Vol. 81, p 063111.
• Kurz, V.; Grunze, M.; Koelsch, P., In Situ Characterization of Thermo-Responsive Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) Films with Sum-Frequency Generation Spectroscopy. ChemPhysChem 2010, 11, (7), 1425-1429.
• Diesner, M.-O.; Howell, C.; Kurz, V.; Verreault, D.; Koelsch, P., In Vitro Characterization of Surface Properties Through Living Cells. J Phys Chem Lett 2010, 1, (15), 2339-2342.
• Howell, C.; Schmidt, R.; Kurz, V.; Koelsch, P., Sum-frequency-generation spectroscopy of DNA films in air and aqueous environments. Biointerphases 2008, 3, (3), FC47-FC51.
• Howell, C.; Diesner, M.-O.; Grunze, M.; Koelsch, P., Probing the Extracellular Matrix with Sum-Frequency-Generation Spectroscopy. Langmuir 2008, 24, (24), 13819-13821.
• Koelsch, P.; Viswanath, P.; Motschmann, H.; Shapovalov, V.; Brezesinski, G.; Möhwald, H.; Horinek, D.; Netz, R.; Giewekemeyer, K.; Salditt, T., Specific ion effects in physicochemical and biological systems: Simulations, theory and experiments. In Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2007; Vol. 303, pp 110-136.
• Koelsch, P.; Motschmann, H., Varying the counterions at a charged interface. In Langmuir, 2005; Vol. 21, pp 3436-3442.
• Koelsch, P.; Motschmann, H., Relating foam lamella stability and surface dilational rheology. In Langmuir, 2005; Vol. 21, pp 6265-6269.
• Koelsch, P.; Motschmann, H., An experimental route to Hofmeister. Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science 2004, 9, (1-2), 87-91.