Study of the multiscale networks of hemicellulose hydrogels by scattering techniques

The aim of the project is to develop multifunctional soft materials (hydrogels) from hemicelluloses for biomedical and food applications. We combine chemo-enzymatic methods to modify the molecular structure of the hemicelluloses and to tailor their assembly and rheological properties. In this project we want to understand the assembly mechanisms that drive the gel formation upon enzymatic crosslinking of xylans at different conditions, using a combination of scattering, microscopy and rheological techniques.