How
does a cell work,
mechanically? How do
the individual components, molecules and proteins work to fulfill their
cellular function?
Our
long term goal
is by applying and developing state-of-the-art single molecule
techniques to learn more about the mechanical aspects of
protein-protein interactions. How are these
interactions mediated and realized on a single molecule level and what
influences
have intermolecular forces? Using optical tweezers, we want
to approach and answer
fundamental
biological questions such as how chromosomes are pulled apart during
cell division, how ion-channels
are gated, and how DNA is deformed during homologous
recombination. Our focus on answering specific
biological questions inspires instrument
development,
which, in turn, we hope broadens the applicability of this
technology in biology.
From left to right (September 2007):
Marcel, Mohammed, Anita, Erik, Volker
Our research activities are supported by
the
Emmy Noether Program of the German Research Foundation
(Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft).
