Research
What is life and could it be different? Is it possible to build a living cell from scratch? While questions like these have fascinated mankind for centuries, it is exciting that science begins to develop tools to approach them. Bottom-up synthetic biology conventionally isolates and subsequently recombines biomolecules from cells. Instead of copying life as we know it, our group tries to engineer cells using lipid vesicles and our own custom-engineered machinery from genetically encoded RNA origami. Thereby, we build protocells capable of evolution. At the same time we push the boundaries of what RNA (nature’s most underrated builder!) can do – for synthetic biology, biomedicine and beyond.
A blue skies question requires new tools. We develop methodology for RNA design and RNA origami and image-based sorting. Our work combines computational design and molecular dynamics simulations with experimental methods including confocal microscopy, high-speed atomic force microscopy, cryo electron microscopy, DNA and RNA origami, microfluidics, lipid vesicles and 3D laser printing.
Currently, we work on the following projects:
- Computational tools for RNA design (check out pyFuRNAce)
- Functional RNA origami structures for synthetic cells, including cytoskeletons, transmembrane pores and droplets
- Complex RNA nanostructure design and validation with cryo electron microscopy
- RNA aptamers and ribozymes, including method development for their characterization
- Molecular dynamics simulations of RNA origami and RNA-membrane interactions
- Method development for high-troughput screening and (synthetic) cell sorting by photopolymerization
- Autonomous sorting of synthetic cells for directed evolution
- Active membranes with out-of-equilibrium dynamics
- DNA/RNA microbeads as phantom cells for mechanobiology and organoid research
- DNA/RNA nanostructures for synthetic immunology, DNA/RNA origami vaccines
Sounds interesting? We always welcome applications from motivated, talented and friendly new group members at all levels with diverse backgrounds from physics, molecular biotechnology, chemistry, computer science, chemical engineering or similar. Get in touch!
Co-transcriptional folding of RNA nanostructures This animation illustrates how RNA origami folds during transcription from a DNA template.
How do you fold DNA? This animation illustrates the DNA origami principle: A long single-strand of DNA is folded into the desired shape using short chemically synthesized DNA strands. Each strand is unique, making it addressable for chemical functionalization.
Why is microfluidics useful for synthetic cell assembly? This video shows how we use microfluidics as a tool to generate and manipulate cell-sized compartments. Lots of on-chip functions are available, which we repurpose for the assembly of synthetic cells.
Funding
