A5059523934- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- RNA Research and Splicing
- Micro and Nano Robotics
- Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Diet and metabolism studies
- Probiotics and Fermented Foods
- Gut microbiota and health
- Nuclear Structure and Function
- Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
- RNA modifications and cancer
- Protein Structure and Dynamics
- Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies
- Amino Acid Enzymes and Metabolism
- 3D Printing in Biomedical Research
- Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
- Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
- Carbon Nanotubes in Composites
- Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Advanced Materials and Mechanics
- Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Studies
Princeton University
2018-2024
Technical University of Munich
2014-2018
Center for NanoScience
2010-2018
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
2010-2018
Institute for Advanced Study
2014
Engineering synthetic materials that mimic the remarkable complexity of living organisms is a fundamental challenge in science and technology. We study spatiotemporal patterns emerge when an active nematicfilm microtubules molecular motors encapsulated within shape-changing lipid vesicle. Unlike equilibrium systems, where defects are largely static structures, nematics move spontaneously can be described as self-propelled particles. The combination activity, topological constraints vesicle...
Cell-sized biomimetic active cytoskeletal vesicles undergo blebbing and shape remodeling due to myosin contractile activity.
Cells set up contractile actin arrays to drive various shape changes and exert forces their environment. To understand assembly process, we present here a reconstituted system, comprising F-actin myosin II filaments, where can control the local activation of by light. By stimulating different symmetries, show that force balancing at boundaries determine as well dynamics global contraction. Spatially anisotropic attachment initially isotropic networks leads self-organization highly aligned...
Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin assembly at cell membranes drives the formation of protrusions or endocytic vesicles. To identify mechanism by which different membrane deformations can be achieved, we reconstitute basic deformation modes inward and outward bending in a confined geometry encapsulating minimal set cytoskeletal proteins into giant unilamellar Formation is favoured low capping protein (CP) concentrations, whereas negatively bent domains promoted high CP concentrations. Addition...
Abstract The development of a fertilized egg to an embryo requires the proper temporal control gene expression. During cell differentiation, timing is often controlled via cascades transcription factors (TFs). However, in early development, inactive, and many TF levels stay constant, suggesting that alternative mechanisms govern observed rapid ordered onset Here, we find embryonic access maternally deposited nuclear proteins genome temporally importin affinities, thereby expression...
The survival of cells depends on perpetual active motions, including (a) bending excitations the soft cell envelopes, (b) bidirectional transport materials and organelles between center periphery, (c) ongoing restructuring intracellular macromolecular scaffolds mediating global changes associated with adhesion locomotion phagocytosis. Central questions addressed are following: How can this bustling motion extremely complex structures be characterized measured? What major driving forces?...
Living cells interact with their immediate environment by exerting mechanical forces, which regulate important cell functions. Elucidation of such force patterns yields deep insights into the physics life. Here we present a top-down nanostructured, ultraflexible nanowire array biosensor capable probing cell-induced forces. Its universal building block, an inverted conical semiconductor nanowire, greatly enhances both functionality and sensitivity device. In contrast to existing cellular...
Abstract Eukaryotic cytoplasm organizes itself via both membrane-bound organelles and membrane-less biomolecular condensates (BMCs). Known BMCs exhibit liquid-like properties are typically visualized on the scale of ~1 μm. They have been studied mostly by microscopy, examining select individual proteins. Here, we investigate global organization native with quantitative proteomics, using differential pressure filtration, size exclusion, dilution experiments. These assays reveal that form...
Eukaryotic cytoplasm organizes itself via both membrane-bound organelles and membrane-less biomolecular condensates (BMCs). Known BMCs exhibit liquid-like properties are typically visualized on the scale of ~1 µm. They have been studied mostly by microscopy, examining select individual proteins. Here, we investigate global organization native with quantitative proteomics, using differential pressure filtration, size exclusion, dilution experiments. These assays reveal that form throughout...
Abstract A long-standing observation is that in fast-growing cells, respiration rate declines with increasing growth and compensated by an increase fermentation, despite being more efficient than fermentation. This apparent preference for fermentation even the presence of oxygen known as aerobic glycolysis, occurs bacteria, yeast, cancer cells. Considerable work has focused on understanding potential benefits might justify this seemingly wasteful metabolic strategy, but its mechanistic basis...
Imaging techniques can be compromised by aberrations. Especially when imaging through biological specimens, sample-induced distortions limit localization accuracy. In particular, this phenomenon affects microscopy, traction force measurements, and single-particle tracking, which offer high-resolution insights into tissue. Here we present a method for quantifying correcting the optical induced single, adherent, living cells. The technique uses periodically patterned gold nanostructures as...
Abstract Great progress has been made in understanding gut microbiome’s products and their effects on health disease. Less attention, however, given to the inputs that bacteria consume. Here we quantitatively examine outputs of mouse microbiome, using isotope tracing. The main input microbial carbohydrate fermentation is dietary fiber, branched-chain fatty acids aromatic metabolites protein. In addition, circulating host lactate, 3-hydroxybutyrate urea (but not glucose or amino acids) feed...
Summary The development of a fertilized egg to an embryo requires the proper temporal control gene expression 1-6 . During cell differentiation, timing is often controlled via cascades transcription factors (TFs) 7,8 However, in early development, inactive, and many TF levels are constant, suggesting that unknown mechanisms govern observed rapid ordered onset 9 Here, we find embryonic access maternally deposited nuclear proteins genome temporally importin affinities, thereby downstream...