Dr. Bizan N. Balzer
Senior Scientist / Akademischer Oberrat / Habilitand
Institute of Physical Chemistry
Albertstraße 21
79104 Freiburg
Phone: +49 761 203-6227
Room: 01.011 Flachbau
E-Mail: bizan.balzer@physchem.uni-freiburg.de
Website: Balzer lab
About me
Since 10/2021: Associated Member at Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF), University of Freiburg
Since 12/2019: Responsible Investigator, Cluster of Excellence livMatS, University of Freiburg
Since 07/2019: Habilitation at the Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Freiburg (Prof. Dr. Thorsten Hugel)
Since 01/2017: Senior Scientist and Head of the AFM Group at the Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Freiburg (Prof. Dr. Thorsten Hugel)
05/2016-12/2016: Postdoc at the Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Freiburg (Prof. Dr. Thorsten Hugel)
01/2014-10/2015: Technical Expert at Ter Meer Steinmeister & Partner Patent Attorneys mbB and Kilian Kilian & Partner Patent Attorneys mbB
12/2013: Dr. rer. nat. (summa cum laude), title of thesis: Single polymer friction-from desorption stick to geometrical interlock (Prof. Dr. Thorsten Hugel)
04/2009-12/2013: Scientific Assistant (Prof. Dr. Thorsten Hugel) at Physik Department (TU München), Institute for Medical Engineering (IMETUM), Cluster of Excellence Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM), DFG Priority Program SPP1369 (Polymer-Surface Contacts: Interfaces and Interphases, topic: AFM-based Determination of Interface and Interphase Interactions) and PEGASUS project of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) under the leadership of BMW AG
11/2008: Diploma in Physics and Biophysics, TU München
10/2003-11/2008: Physics and Biophysics, Physik Department, TU München
Areas of research
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM): imaging, friction, Kelvin probe force microscopy, force spectroscopy
- Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy: adhesion and friction mechanisms between single polymers and solid substrates or thin polymer films in solution
- Functionalization of solid surfaces and AFM probes
- Tribology: friction properties of single molecules, polymer films and biomolecules, triboelectricity and programmable friction
Publications
2025
S. Pusse, B.-J. Niebuur, T. Kraus, V. Presser, B. N. Balzer & M. Gallei
Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Pore-Forming Three-Arm Amphiphilic Block Copolymers
Macromol. Rapid Commun., 2500077 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500077
R. Schlatterer, M. Marczynski, B. Hermann, O. Lieleg & B. N. Balzer
Unfolding of von Willebrand Factor Type D Like Domains Promotes Mucin Adhesion
Nano Lett., 25 (5), 1765 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c03088
2024
V. Davis, S. Frielingsdorf, Q. Hu, P. Elsäßer, B.N. Balzer, O. Lenz, I. Zebger & A. Fischer
Ultrathin Film Antimony-Doped Tin Oxide Prevents [NiFe] Hydrogenase Inactivation at High Electrode Potentials
ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 16 (34), 44802 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.4c08218
F. Hartmann, R. Dockhorn, S. Pusse, B.-J. Niebuur, M. Koch, T. Kraus, A. Schießer, B. N. Balzer & M. Gallei
Design and Self-Assembly of Second-Generation Dendrimer-like Block Copolymers
Macromolecules, 57 (15), 7098 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.4c00944
2023
M. Lallemang, C. O. Akintayo, C. Wenzel, W. Chen, L. Sielaff, A. Ripp, H. J. Jessen, B. N. Balzer, A. Walther & T. Hugel
Hierarchical Mechanical Transduction of Precision-Engineered DNA Hydrogels with Sacrificial Bonds
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 15 (51), 59714 (2023), https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.3c15135
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
M. Ibrahim, C. Wenzel, M. Lallemang, B. N. Balzer & N. Schwierz
Adsorbing DNA to Mica by Cations: Influence of Valency and Ion Type
Langmuir, 39 (44), 15553 (2023), https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c01835
F. J. Gatti, W. Cai, R. Herzog, A. Gharavian, A. Kailer, N. Baltes, P. Rabenecker, P. Mörchel, B. N. Balzer, T. Amann & J. Rühe
Investigation of programmable friction with ionic liquid mixtures at the nano- and macroscales
Lubricants, 11(9), 376 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants11090376
W. Cai, M. Jäger, J. T. Bullerjahn, T. Hugel, S. Wolf & B. N. Balzer
Anisotropic friction in a ligand-protein complex
Nano Lett., 23 (10), 4111 (2023), https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c04632
W. Cai, J. L. Trefs, T. Hugel & B.N. Balzer
Anisotropy of π–π stacking as basis for superlubricity
ACS Materials Lett., 5 (1), 172 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialslett.2c00974
2022
M. Marczynski, T. M. Lutz, R. Schlatterer, M. Henkel, B. N. Balzer & O. Lieleg
Contamination with black carbon nanoparticles alters the selective permeability of mucin hydrogels: Implications for molecular transport across mucosal barriers
ACS Appl. Nano Mater., 5 (11), 16955 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.2c03887
L. Gemmer, Q. Hu, B. Niebuur, T. Kraus, B. N. Balzer & M. Gallei*
A block copolymer templated approach for the preparation of nanoporous polymer structures and cellulose fiber hybrids by ozone treatment
Polym. Chem., 13, 4028 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00562J
M. Tschaikowsky, S. Brander, V. Barth, R. Thomann, B. Rolauffs, B.N. Balzer* & T. Hugel*
The articular cartilage surface is impaired by a loss of thick collagen fibers and formation of type I collagen in early osteoarthritis
Acta Biomaterialia, 146, 274 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2022.04.036
W. Cai, J.T. Bullerjahn, M. Lallemang, K. Kroy, B.N. Balzer* & T. Hugel*
Angle-dependent strength of a single chemical bond by stereographic force spectroscopy
Chemical Science, 13, 5734 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC01077A
A. Goralczyk, M. Zhu, F. Mayoussi, M. Lallemang, M. Tschaikowsky, A. Warmbold, S. Caliaro, F. Tauber, B. N. Balzer, F. Kotz-Helmer, D. Helmer* & B. E. Rapp
Study of repellence on polymeric surfaces with two individually adjustable pore hierarchies
Chemical Engineering Journal, 437(1), 135287 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.135287
M. Lallemang, L. Yu, W. Cai, K. Rischka, A. Hartwig, R. Haag, T. Hugel* & B. N. Balzer*
Multivalent non-covalent interactions lead to strongest polymer adhesion
Nanoscale, 14, 3768 (2022). http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D1NR08338D
A. Baldwin, M. Hartl, M. Tschaikowsky, B.N. Balzer & B.W. Booth*
Degradation and release of tannic acid from an injectable tissue regeneration bead matrix in vivo
J Biomed Mater Res., 110, 1165 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.34990
F. V. Frieß, Q. Hu, J. Mayer, L. Gemmer, V. Presser, B. N. Balzer* & M. Gallei*
Nanoporous block copolymer membranes with enhanced solvent resistance via UV-mediated cross-linking strategies
Macromol. Rapid Commun., 43, 2100632 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202100632
2021
M. Tschaikowsky, T. Neumann, S. Brander, H. Haschke, B. Rolauffs, B.N. Balzer & T. Hugel*
Hybrid fluorescence-AFM explores articular surface degeneration in early osteoarthritis across length scales
Acta Biomaterialia, 126, 315 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2021.03.034
M. Tschaikowsky, M. Selig, S. Brander, B.N. Balzer, T. Hugel* & B. Rolauffs*
Proof-of-concept for the detection of early osteoarthritis pathology by clinically applicable endomicroscopy and quantitative AI-supported optical biopsy
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 29 (2), 269 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2020.10.003
2020
H. Wang, M. Lallemang, B. Hermann, C. Wallin, R. Loch, A. Blanc, B.N. Balzer, T. Hugel & J. Luo*
ATP impedes the inhibitory effect of Hsp90 on Aβ40 fibrillation
J. Mol. Biol., S0022-2836, 20, 30635-5 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2020.11.016
A. Kolberg, C. Wenzel, T. Hugel, M. Gallei & B.N. Balzer*
Covalent attachment of single molecules for AFM-based force spectroscopy
J. Vis. Exp., 157, e60934 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3791/60934
Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 187, 110614 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2019.110614
2019
A. Kolberg, C.Wenzel, K. Hackenstrass, R. Schwarzl, C. Rüttiger, T. Hugel*, M. Gallei, R.R. Netz* & B.N. Balzer*
Opposing temperature dependence of the stretching response of single PEG and PNiPAM polymers
J. Am. Chem. Soc., 141 (29), 11603 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.9b04383
H. Schafer, A. Kolberg, M. Gockeln, R. Kun, B.N. Balzer & K. Koschek*
Influence of free PCL in PCL/PBA-a copolymers and blends on morphology, thermo-mechanical and shape memory properties
Polymer Testing, 77, 105888 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2019.05.004
2017
B. Winkeljann, K. Boettcher, B.N. Balzer & O. Lieleg*
Mucin coatings prevent tissue damage at the cornea-contact lens interface
Adv. Mater. Interfaces, 4 (19), 1700186 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.201700186
2016
B.N. Balzer & T. Hugel*
Single-molecule detection and manipulation. In: Saleem Hashmi (editor-in-chief)
Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering. Oxford: Elsevier pp. 1-19 (2016).
2014
B.N. Balzer, S. Kienle, M. Gallei, R. v. Klitzing, M. Rehahn & T. Hugel*
Stick-slip mechanisms at the nanoscale
Soft Materials, 12 (1), 106 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1080/1539445X.2014.945039
S. Kienle, M. Gallei, H. Yu, B. Zhang, S. Krysiak, B.N. Balzer, M. Rehahn, A.D. Schlüter & T. Hugel*
Effect of molecular architecture on single polymer adhesion
Langmuir, 30 (15), 4351 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1021/la500783n
J. Elbert, F. Krohm, C. Rüttiger, S. Kienle, H. Didzoleit, B.N. Balzer, T. Hugel, B. Stühn, M. Gallei* & A. Brunsen*
Polymer-modified mesoporous silica thin films for redox-mediated selective membrane gating
Adv. Funct. Mater., 24 (11), 1591 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201302304
2013
B.N. Balzer, M. Gallei, K. Sondergeld, M. Schindler, P. Müller-Buschbaum, M. Rehahn & T. Hugel*
Cohesion mechanisms of polystyrene-based thin polymer films
Macromolecules, 46 (18), 7406 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1021/ma401173y
B.N. Balzer, S. Micciulla, S. Dodoo, M. Zerball, M. Gallei, M Rehahn, R. v. Klitzing & T. Hugel*
Adhesion property profiles of supported thin polymer films
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 5 (13), 6300 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1021/am4013424
B.N. Balzer, M. Gallei, M. Hauf, M. Stallhofer, L. Wiegleb, A. Holleitner, M. Rehahn & T. Hugel*
Nanoscale friction mechanisms at solid-liquid interfaces
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 52 (25), 6541 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201301255
B.N. Balzer, M. Gallei, M. Hauf, M. Stallhofer, L. Wiegleb, A. Holleitner, M. Rehahn & T. Hugel*
Reibungsmechanismen auf der Nanoskala an Fest‐flüssig‐Grenzflächen
Angew. Chem., 2013, 125, 6670 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.201301255
S. Dodoo, B.N. Balzer, T. Hugel, A. Laschewsky & R. v. Klitzing*
Effect of ionic strength and layer number on swelling of polyelectrolyte multilayers in water vapour
Soft Materials, 11(2), 157 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1080/1539445X.2011.607203
B.N. Balzer & M. Gallei
Das reibt sich gut: Rasterkraftmikroskopie am Einzelmolekül
GIT Labor-Fachzeitschrift, 57, 710 (2013).
2012
N. Schwierz, D. Horinek, S. Liese, T. Pirzer, B.N. Balzer, T. Hugel & R.R. Netz*
On the relationship between peptide adsorption resistance and surface contact angle: A combined experimental and simulation single-molecule study
J. Am. Chem. Soc., 134 (48), 19628 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1021/ja304462u
B.N. Balzer & T. Hugel*
Surface & Interface Characterization: Single molecule detection and manipulation
Polymer Science: A Comprehensive Reference; Elsevier: Amsterdam; pp. 629-645 (2012)
2009
M. Geisler, B.N. Balzer & T. Hugel*
Polymer adhesion at the solid–liquid interface probed by a single-molecule force sensor
Small, 5 (24), 2864 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.200901237
Talks
Atomic Force Microscopy: from single molecules to soft materials, 2nd Japanese-American-German Symposium, Kyoto, Japan, 2019
Gallery
JoVE Video: Covalent attachment of single molecules for AFM-based force spectroscopy
Teaching
Practical Courses:
Grundpraktikum Physikalische Chemie
Advanced biochemistry and biophysics of proteins
Seminars:
Molecular machines and interfaces
Lectures:
Single molecule methods
Contents: basics of optical microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, superresolution spectroscopy (STED, PALM), fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), single molecule kinetics, optical tweezers, magnetic tweezers, atomic force microscopy, force spectroscopy
Rechenmethoden der Physikalischen Chemie II
Inhalte: Matrizen, Eigenwerte und -vektoren, Fourier-Reihen, Kombinatorik und Wahrscheinlichkeitsrechnung.
Projects / Job opportunities
B.Sc., M.Sc. or Ph.D. thesis
Please contcact me: bizan.balzer@physchem.uni-freiburg.de