Hannah Küttner, M.Sc.

Providing enough food for a growing population without further damaging the environment is one of today’s major challenges. Hannah researches bio-based and degradable seed coatings based on polysaccharide-derived hydrogels and microgels that encapsulate beneficial bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis. These bacteria support plant growth naturally by improving nutrient uptake, phytohormone production and increasing tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic, persistent fertilisers and pesticides. The hydrogels are designed with programmable rehydration and tunable crosslinking to control bacterial release, ensure viability, and adapt to varying environmental conditions. By focusing on the relationship between hydrogel properties and bacterial behaviour, Hannah’s work contributes to more resilient crop systems and paves the way for eco-friendly, next-generation agricultural practices.

Research focus:

• Functionalization of biopolymers
• Synthesis and characterization of polysaccharide-based microgels
• Encapsulation of beneficial bacteria to study viability and behavior in microgel environments