Nanobiophysics
General
Our research programs are pursuing a two folded aim: to develop and use nano-scale physical methods and technological approaches to
investigate the structure, function and interactions of biomolecules in their native cellular environment, but also to make use of biomolecules
and their specific properties in hybrid bio-inorganic nanosystems or use them as templates or model systems in the development of bottom-up nanotechnology.
Examples are the development of a nano-probe based toolbox for the investigation of cell membrane properties in normal and disease state or for the study of
synapse biophysics. Additionally, we construct hybrid systems incorporating biologically active molecules and engineered nanoparticles or nanodevices and
investigate the physico-chemical phenomena at their interface. The combination of biomolecules such as enzymes, antigen/antibody or DNA with inorganic
nanoparticles of similar sizes allows constructing hybrid systems with novel electronic, photonic and catalytic properties. Such systems are particularly
attractive for the development of novel biosensors and biofuel cells or may serve as templates for nanofabrication.
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