Svenja NELLINGER profile

I completed my Bachelor's degree in Nutritional Science at the University of Hohenheim from 2010 to 2014, followed by a Master's degree in Biology at the same university from 2014 to 2016. My master's thesis focused on the development of serum-free cell culture media for human adipose tissue models. In 2022, I earned my PhD at the University of Tübingen, focusing on the use of cell-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) as a biomaterial. Since September 2025, I have held a permanent position at the Institute of Interfacial Process Engineering and Plasma Technology (IGVP) at the University of Stuttgart, where I am planning to establish my own junior research group.

My expertise spans the isolation, culture, and differentiation of human and animal primary cells, with a strong focus on establishing physiologically relevant in vitro systems. I have extensive experience in the generation, isolation, and processing of cell-derived extracellular matrix (cdECM) as a biomaterial, including its characterization and application in tissue engineering. This also includes metabolic glycoengineering approaches for the functionalization of cdECM to tailor its biochemical properties for specific applications. Additionally, I specialize in the development of serum-free cell culture media tailored to defined cell types and model systems. My work on human adipose tissue models integrates advanced cell culture techniques, custom media formulation, and biomaterial-based strategies to create robust and translational platforms for research.