Katharina Landfester
Max Planck Insitute for Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany
”We design adaptive molecular systems that bridge chemistry and biology by mimicking life’s dynamic principles. From giant polymersomes with nanocapsules and coacervates that organize into membranes, fibers, and nanoorganelles, to photobiocatalytic reactions and metabolic cascades, our artificial cells self-assemble, reconfigure, and evolve new functions. By integrating with natural cells, these systems act as adaptive prototypes of life – unveiling responsive, emergent behaviours and transform biomedical applications. We harness coacervation as a powerful principle of molecular self-organization to create adaptive, life-like compartments. We explore the adaptive potential of artificial cell membranes, designing dynamic polymersomes and lipid–polymer hybrids that respond to environmental cues.”
”Our research focuses on synthetic/artificial cells synthesized by a droplet-based microfluidics and the use of complex coacervates inside these synthetic cells. Membranes are made from a variety of block copolymers and lipids encapsulating enzymes, aptamers, DNA and RNA replication up to in-vitro-translation. Subcompartments either are either preformed on a nano-scale or assembled by liquid-liquid phase separation with enzymes or functional macromolecules within them. In the end these artificial cells are cultivated with and communicate with natural cells in a paracrine, tissue-like fashion.
We offer postdoc positions for the development of peptide-based materials for coacervation and for the in-vitro-translation in synthetic cells.”
For more information, vist the Landfester department’s website.
| Main area(s) | Sub-area(s) |
|---|---|
| Enabling technologies for synthetic cells | Condensate-based Synthetic Cells Polymer-based Synthetic Cells Droplet-based microfluidics Cell-free protein expression Functional hydrogel-based cytoplasm |