Molecular engineering: better tools, better science, better life
The exponential increase in the number of sequenced genomes has focused attention on how best to produce, study and modify the encoded gene products. Accessing the information encoded in proteins is technically and economically challenging. This constitutes a critical technological bottleneck that determines the pace of progress in many areas of biology and biotechnology.
This research area pursues approaches that allow rapid and flexible production, analysis and engineering of proteins and protein complexes. By integrating cell-free protein production, microfluidic handling and single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy, researchers develop new processes for understanding complex molecular machines, such as tethering complexes and transcription regulating complexes. Further, we use the developed technologies for construction of novel biological modules and cascades.
Traineeships, honours and PhD projects include
- Development of synthetic protein receptors and signal amplification cascades, and point-of-care diagnostic devices
- Quantitative analysis of protein-protein and protein-small molecule interactions using a novel in vitro translation system
- Genetic code reassignment and its use for production of proteins and peptides with unnatural amino acids
- Development of synthetic protein receptors and signal amplification cascades, and point-of-care diagnostic devices.