Research and Technology Innovation

Using core stengths in electron tomography and protein bioengineering the cellular structural biology  group focuses on analysis of 3D structures of biological macromolecules in the cell, in particular using cryo-electron tomography.

Our research focuses on structure-based protein engineering to create biomolecules with novel functionalities.

We investigate the structure and function of healthy and diseased brains using a dynamical connectomics approach combining in vivo multiphoton calcium imaging in behaving mice with multi-scale electron and X-ray microscopy for dense, synaptic resolution neuronal circuit reconstruction.

In the context of research on neurodegenerative diseases, we investigate the structure and function of neurodegenerative amyloid proteins by integrative biophysical methods. 

We are investigating mesoscale functional links between cell mechanics, genome organization and gene expression during cellular ageing, rejuvenation and tissue homeostasis.

We are developing novel tools to monitor and quantify trafficking and signalling of receptor tyrosine kinases and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).

Surfaces for application in biomolecular research range from protein patterns on glass and polymers to micro- and nanostructures and templates for replication in biocompatible polymers.

In close collaboration with the macromolecular crystallography group at PSI and the Institute of Polymer Nanotechnology at FHNW, we are developing solid supports for serial protein crystallography at the SLS and at SwissFEL.

We are developing tools for bio-reated research, including acoustic tweezers for non-invasive  intracellular manipulation and an ultrasonic acoustic levitation diffractometer for protein crystallography.