Karin Schillén

Research interests

Self-assembly and phase behavior of amphiphilic block copolymers and their applications, interactions of stimuli-responsive block copolymers/polyelectrolytes/biopolymers with bile salts and surfactants. Formation of supramolecular structures of bile salt derivatives. Main methods of investigation: dynamic and static light scattering, small angle X-ray scattering, differential scanning and titration calorimetry, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy.

Research projects

• Oppositely charged polymer-bile salt systems: To provide fundamental understanding of supramolecular structures of mixed complexes of bile salt biosurfactants and oppositely charged biocompatible polymers and their intermolecular interactions
• The interaction between stimuli-responsive block copolymers and bile salts
• Self-organized supramolecular structures of oppositely charged block copolymers and bile salts
• Supramolecular structures of bile salt derivates in aqueous solutions
• Soluble complex salts of surfactant ions and polymeric counterions: Composite macromolecular self-assembly
• PEO-PPO-PEO (Pluronic®/Synperonic®) block copolymer systems. Physico-chemical studies of the self-assembly of PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymers and their interaction and co-assembly with nonionic and ionic surfactants, bile salts and polyelectrolytes in aqueous solution

Academic background

• 2008 Professor of Physical Chemistry – Surface and Colloid Chemistry, Lund University
• 2002 Docent in Physical Chemistry, Lund University
• 1996–1997 Postdoctoral Fellow (Swedish Research Council, VR), University of Toronto, Dept. of Chemistry, Canada. Project: "Fluorescence spectroscopy on fluorescently labelled block copolymers"
• 1994–1996 Postdoctoral Fellow, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden. Project: "Surface force measurements on block copolymers"
• 1994 PhD in Physical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Thesis: "Solution properties of block copolymers studied using light scattering". Supervised by Prof. Wyn Brown
• 1989 Master of Science (MSc) in Physics and Chemistry, Uppsala University

Faculty positions

• 2019 Visiting Professor (Guest professorship), Department of Chemistry, La Sapienza University of Rome
• 2008–present Professor, Division of Physical Chemistry, Lund University
• 2003–2008 Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer, Division of Physical Chemistry, Lund University
• 1997–2003 Assistant Professor, Division of Physical Chemistry, Lund University

Distinctions

• 1998 AkzoNobel Nordic Scientific Award for Best PhD thesis in Surface and Colloid Chemistry
• 2025Arrhenius Plauge.Information about the Arrhenius Plaque awarded by the Swedish Chemical Society

Research programmes and networks

• 2024–2028 Member of the Excellence Center "Commonalities in membrane molecular interactions (COMMONS)" through the Swedish Research Council
• 2018–2026 Swedish coordinator of a Joint China-Sweden Mobility Program with Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing from The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation Research and Higher Education (STINT)
• 2006–2016 Member of the Linnaeus Center of Excellence "Organzing Molecular Matter (OMM)" through the Swedish Research Council
• 2003–2007 Member of the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) program Colloidal Structures from Self-association (COLINTECH)
• 1998–2005 Member of the Competence Centre for Amphiphilic Polymers from Renewable Resources (CAP) through VINNOVA

Research programs and networks

• 2024–2028 Member of the Excellence Center "Commonalities in membrane molecular interactions (COMMONS)" through the Swedish Research Council
• 2018–2026 Swedish coordinator of a Joint China-Sweden Mobility Program with Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing from The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation Research and Higher Education (STINT)
• 2006–2016 Member of the Linnaeus Center of Excellence "Organzing Molecular Matter (OMM)" through the Swedish Research Council
• 2003–2007 Member of the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) program Colloidal Structures from Self-association (COLINTECH)
• 1998–2005 Member of the Competence Centre for Amphiphilic Polymers from Renewable Resources (CAP) through VINNOVA

Teaching

• Physical Chemistry - Basic Course, KEMB39
• 2007–present Head teacher in Physical Chemistry

Instruments

• Dynamic and static light scattering goniometer system (ALV Gmbh)
• Instrument for dynamic and static light scattering and electrophoretic mobility measurements (Malvern Instruments) 

Commissions of trust

• Member of boards: Board member of Surface and Material Chemistry Section at The Swedish Chemical Society 2015–2021; Board member of The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research program "Colloid and Interface Technology" (COLINTECH) 1998–2002; Ordinary council member of International Association of Colloid and Interface Scientists (IACIS) 2022–2025
• Member of the review panel in Analytical, Physical, and Theoretical Chemistry at the Swedish Research Council, VR 2023
• Member of the selection committee for the Life Time Achievement Award (LTAA), IACIS 2024–2025