Ilona Kalte
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
Main Focus
Ilona’s research is focused on the synthesis and characterization of minimalistic peptides for the controlled formation of coacervates via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Her primary goal is to explore the relation between the precise peptide design and the resulting physicochemical properties of the coacervates. This fundamental understanding is crucial for transforming these systems into platforms for advanced biomedical applications like targeted drug delivery, biosensing, and engineering of synthetic cell organelles.
Curriculum Vitae
Ilona completed her Bachelor’s (2023) and Master’s (2025) degrees in biomedical chemistry at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. Her studies were supported by a scholarship from Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes. For her Master thesis, conducted in the Department of Prof. Dr. Landfester, she focused on dual-way communication between natural and artificial cells. Since June 2025, she has been a PhD candidate in the Biocondensates Group of the Department of Physical Chemistry of Polymers.