SynCell-nExUs Supervisors

The Wegner group investigates cellular functions that emerge from the spatial and temporal inhomogeneity of biochemical processes using synthetic cell models. To achieve precise spatiotemporal control, we employ photoswitchable proteins and optogenetic tools to regulate processes such as protein localization, cell adhesion, and intercellular communication with light. By integrating complementary approaches in synthetic, bacterial, and mammalian cells, we explore fundamental principles of cell biology and develop new to nature functions.

”In our group, we have developed a broad repertoire of photoswitchable proteins that enable precise regulation of processes in synthetic cells, including protein–protein interactions, protein–membrane interactions, and cell adhesions. These tools allow us to dynamically control processes in space and time, from the subcellular to the multicellular scale. Through these tools, we steer in synthetic cell motility, self-assembly and self-sorting into multicellular structures, intercellular chemical signaling including emergent behaviors, and membrane morphological transformations. Complementary light-regulated capabilities in natural cells
further open the door to photoregulating interactions between synthetic and living systems, enabling the creation of integrated biohybrid assemblies.”

For more information, visit the Wegner’s group webpage.