SynCell-nExUs Supervisors

The Koenderink lab studies how the remarkable active mechanical behaviour of cells emerges from the interactions of the constituent parts. Their expertise is in membrane biophysics, protein biochemistry, microscopy, microfluidics, and biophysical methods. “We develop minimal synthetic cells based on vesicles equipped with an active cytoskeletal network to control cell mechanics and mechanosensing and drive cell division and migration, based on eukaryotic (actin-myosin) and prokaryotic (FtsZ, MreB) proteins. We couple synthetic cells to the outside world using modular transmembrane adhesion receptors, allowing mechanoresponsiveness. We study the cells using functional imaging (FRET, FLIM, confocal), microfluidic devices, and force spectroscopy (AFM, optical tweezers).”

“We aim to create living synthetic cells with a cytoskeleton that drives autonomous division and mediates interactions with synthetic and natural cells. We are developing a genome-encoded divisome that operates under realistic conditions of cytoplasmic and membrane crowding, based on E.Coli & mycoplasma FtsZ. We are also developing a robust cell shaper module based on MreB to promote mid-cell division and efficient DNA segregation. Moreover, we are developing genome-encoded adhesion receptors that enable synthetic cells to bind and mechanically respond to surfaces. We use high-throughput imaging-based cell sorting to evolve the modules and integrate them.”

For more information, visit the Koenderink lab website