Philipp Baumli

Postdoctoral Researcher

Brig-Glis, Switzerland

Education

Ph.D. Physical Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 2020
M.Sc. Materials Science, ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, 2015
B.Sc. Materials Science, ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, 2013

Research Focus

My background is in confocal microscopy and liquid-infused surfaces. I am interested in studying the dynamic interfacial and rheological properties of confined fluid layers reminiscent of the classical Hele-Shaw cell using confocal microscopy.

Dry eyes constitute a prevalent problem and are the focus of my research. We aim to contribute to understanding protein-deficiency-caused, more specifically mucin-deficiency-caused, dry eyes, and the mitigation thereof with the addition of lubricin or derivatized hyaluronic acid. We aim to develop a refined in-vitro cell-on-cell dry eye model relying on the combination of confocal microscopy and the Live Cell Rheometer (LCR) developed in the Fuller lab. Cell monolayers consisting of corneal epithelial cells will be sheared against monolayers of conjunctival cells subject to varying normal loads and spacing between the monolayers. We will quantify the effect of the addition of lubricin or derivatized hyaluronic acid to mucin-deficient monolayers of corneal epithelial and conjunctival cells and benchmark clinically effective concentrations of lubricin in close collaboration with ophthalmologists.

Other than research, I enjoy reading books on history topics.