Life Science & Nano

Our general aim is to develop nanoscale tools to unravel fundamental dynamic cellular mechanisms at the nanoscale and to make use of biological mechanisms for energy conversion.

Single-molecule and single-cell biophysics

By manipulating and controlling molecules and cells on their natural length scales we develop novel tools to address urgent needs in biology and medicine for DNA analysis, cell fractionation and cell manipulation on the single-cell level.

Nanobio interactions & applications

We strive for a detailed understanding of the interactions between cells and nanostructures with respect to cell behavior, cell physiology and cell mechanics. This knowledge will allow us to develop novel nanoscale devices with applications in biology and medicine, such as:

the development of nanowire devices that can interact with cells with minimal cell perturbation (e.g. for injection, nanobiopsy, mechanosensing)

the development of nanowire tools which can control the cell behavior (e.g. with respect to differentiation, migration, proliferation, stimulation….).

Nanoelectrodes for in-vivo neurocommunication

Our objective is to unravel fundamental dynamic neural and glial mechanisms underlying learning-related altered neural network structures and information processing in conscious individuals using implantable and biocompatible nanostructured neural interfaces.