Current projects

The Centre for Synthetic Biology currently hosts the following projects:

SYNSENSO – Cell-free synthetic biology for combinatorial biosensor design

SYNSENSO is a new Doctoral Network (DN) coordinated by the TU Darmstadt, that is set out to develop new, game-changing combinatorial biosensors. Funded within the framework of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), SYNSENSO follows an interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approach by bringing together academic and industrial experts from the fields of cell-free synthetic biology and molecular sensor design.

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CellDistinct

Four projects from the TU Darmstadt have been selected for the latest funding round LOEWE Exploration by the Hessian Ministry of Science. This also includes the project “CellDistinct – Targeted cell differentiation through optimally graded micro lattice structures”, in which Professor Andreas Blaeser (BioMedical Printing Technology) and Professor Oliver Weeger (Cyber-Physical Simulation) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering will research the mechanobiological foundations of stem cell differentiation.

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FLOW FOR LIFE

The goal of the LOEWE research cluster FLOW FOR LIFE is to develop an artificial network that transports oxygen and nutrients within lab-grown human tissue of a centimeter size scale. The project combines engineering with biological principles, and synthetic with biological materials.

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ERC Starting Grant DaVinci-Switches

The vision of the DaVinci-Switches ERC project is to develop informative computer models and complementary laboratory methods for the design of switchable proteins controllable via external stimuli. For this, Niopek’s team will combine methods for directed protein evolution in the laboratory with high-throughput screening approaches and artificial intelligence. The resulting protein switches will then be used, among other things, to replace damaged tissue by transiently activating cell division and direct cell identity, thus opening new avenues in regenerative medicine.

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ORGAN-iser

Research performed by Ulrike Nuber´s team together with Heinz Koeppl and Steffen Hardt is supported by the Pioneer Fund. Their multidisciplinary project brings together expertise in stem cell technologies and engineering with the aim to validate a novel fluidic device that allows a spatially controlled development of 3D cell aggregates such as human stem cell-derived organoids.

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ERC Consolidator Grant MICROCRYO

The ERC project MICROCRYO of Prof. Dr. Thomas Burg aims to fundamentally improve our abilities to study dynamic processes in cells and organelles. For this purpose, new methods integrating live-cell imaging, cryogenic light microscopy and electron cryomicroscopy will be developed.

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ERC Starting Grant 3D-FNP Writing

Prof. Dr. Annette Andrieu-Brunsen was awarded the ERC Starting Grant 3D-FNPWriting. The project aims to reduce the performance gap between natural and technological membranes. For this purpose, 3D nanolocal control of nanopore structure and asymmetric nanoscale functionalisation as well as membrane architecture and composition will be optimised.

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Learning by building

In a joint DFG project, the labs of Gerhard Thiel and Kay Hamacher use a learning-by-building approach to construct and understand the architecture of voltage dependent K+ ion channels. The functional analysis of synthetic channels from defined voltage sensors, linkers and pores in combination with theoretical calculations will provide valuable information on the mechanic connections in these modular channel proteins.

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Engineering Synthetic Protein Interaction Switches and Memory Modules

The group of Viktor Stein has secured funding by the DFG for a foundational SynBio project. The project aims to engineer a new class of protein interaction switches that mediate the association of any two proteins in response to a distinct molecular queue. Once signals are received, they are processed through circuits of mutually regulating proteases that exert bistable signalling dynamics.

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Completed projects

ERC Advanced Grant NoMAGIC

Prof. Dr. Gerhard Thiel and Prof. Dr. Anna Moroni are leading the ERC project noMAGIC. noMAGIC has the visionary goal of engineering genetically encoded ion channels remotely controlled by stimuli penetrating deeply into human tissue without negative side effects.

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ERC Consolidator Grant CONSYN

The European Research Council honours Heinz Koeppl, Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, with an ERC Consolidator Grant and supports his research with a total of two million euros over a period of five years.

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APTASENSE: A quick test to identify antibiotics in food

With newly developed aptamer-based biosensors, we will enable a new quality of detection of antibiotics in food. Easy to use with a smartphone app, this should contribute to a reliable and cost-effective detection.

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Pioneer Fund for Custom Sensors

Prof. Dr. Viktor Stein wins funding of the TU Darmstadt Pioneer Fund and the ENTEGA NATURplus Institute to develop innovative methods for the design of custom-made sensors.

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LOEWE Research Cluster CompuGene

The LOEWE research cluster CompuGene is dedicated to the investigation of new methods for the generation of genetic logic circuits using computer models.

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LOEWE Research Cluster iNAPO

The LOEWE research cluster iNAPO – ion conducting nanopores – is engaged in the construction of nanoscale sensors and their application in biosensorics.

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