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Scientific miracle in Dresden: star chemist Prof. Cohen visits!
The TU Dresden welcomes Prof. Seth M. Cohen for a 14-day stay to promote research on organometallic networks.
Scientific miracle in Dresden: star chemist Prof. Cohen visits!
The Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry at TU Dresden welcomed a prominent guest: Prof. Seth M. Cohen from the University of California, San Diego. Prof. Cohen, an internationally renowned chemist and Humboldt Research Prize winner, will spend around 14 days in Dresden. His stay is at the invitation of Prof. Stefan Kaskel and aims to deepen existing contacts and prepare long-term scientific collaboration in the field of organometallic networks (MOFs).
Prof. Cohen is one of the leading researchers in the field of MOFs, which are known as highly porous materials with a three-dimensional lattice. These materials find application in various areas such as gas storage, catalysis, and drug delivery. Prof. Cohen's particular research interest is post-synthetic modification (PSM) of MOFs, which enables targeted changes to their properties.
Research on organometallic networks
For over a decade, his work has significantly influenced the development of research on MOFs. It has made numerous applications possible in areas such as sensing and catalysis. Milestones in his career include the development of MOF-polymer composite materials (polyMOFs) and innovative approaches in drug development. Cohen has also founded several biotech start-ups specializing in the development of new therapeutics for cancer and bacterial infections.
His expertise is also complemented by his previous role as a program manager at the US DARPA, where he was responsible for a research portfolio on novel materials and drugs. The exchange between Prof. Cohen and Prof. Kaskel, which has existed since 2011, forms the basis for the upcoming joint projects.
Public lecture and future collaboration
On May 27, 2025, Prof. Cohen will give a public lecture. The title is “Unconventional MOFs – From Polymer Composites to Low-Valent Catalysts”. The lecture begins at 5:00 p.m. in the chemistry building CHE 182 at TU Dresden. The event is an opportunity to learn more about the latest developments in the field of MOFs and their diverse applications.
The unique properties of MOFs, such as their high specific surface area of 1000 to 10,000 m²/g as well as their flexibility in structural design, open up numerous application possibilities. These include gas storage, catalysis, energy storage and even biomedical applications such as drug release and biosensors.
For future projects, Prof. Cohen is working to lay the foundations for long-term cooperation, which should culminate in an extended research stay in 2026. Those interested can contact Prof. Stefan Kaskel, Chair of Inorganic Chemistry, for further information.