Research

The goal of the Laboratory of Biomolecular Research (LBR) is to provide an atomic level understanding on how the structure and dynamics of proteins and their complexes control essential biological processes in the areas of cell division and signaling. Our mission aligns with one of PSI’s main research focuses: The investigation of fundamental molecular mechanisms that determine human health and disease.

The Center of Radiopharmaceutical Sciences pursues research in the fields of tracer preparation and in vivo imaging of tissues, in particular of disseminated tumors that cannot be removed surgically or by external radiation therapy. The laboratory is operated jointly by ETH Zürich and PSI. The laboratory creates therapeutic molecules by combining particular types of biomolecules, such as for instance antibodies, with radioactive nuclides. These reagents are used to image tumors and to selectively target and destroy tumor cells in animal models. PSI cooperates with universities, hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry to ensure the most effective coordination of its basic research capabilities with clinical applications.

The Laboratory of Multiscale Bioimaging (LMB) investigates the molecular structure and dynamics of complex molecular machines and cascades in the context of the living cell. Using our distinct expertise, we engage in the development and improvement of novel methods for electron microscopy and diffraction. In addition, we have unique capabilities in protein bioengineering, (bio-)microfabrication and correlative imaging methods. LMB’s scientific strengths are to link structural information to functional contexts at length scales ranging from proteins to single cells and to tissue. Typical examples include it situ studies on eukaryotic cilia proteins in their natural context, studies of protein aggregation or chromatin structure in the context of cell function as well as computation of connectome maps of the brain based on bio-imaging data to reveal new insights into brain function.