Signal transduction and transport processes across biomembranes are fascinating phenomena. For example, how do cells communicate and coordinate their activity with each other? How do they manage to keep, or pump certain ions and molecules inside the cells and release others? In many cases, membrane transport and signaling are mediated by membrane proteins. These sophisticated molecular machines are capable of recognizing and binding specific signaling molecules, undergoing conformational changes, and regulating the passage of ions or molecules through lipid bilayers. Due to their role in a wide range of cellular processes, malfunctions of membrane proteins are responsible for many diseases like cystic fibrosis, irregular heartbeat, epilepsy, and anxiety. Understanding membrane transport, sensors of cells, and signaling of cells will make it possible to identify new drugs and to engineer nano-scale sensors, amplifiers, valves, and motors. We use tools in micro- and nanofabrication as well as engineered proteins to investigate the molecular mechanisms of cellular communication through biomembranes. We are working in the following areas:
- Arrays of micro-/nanopores for parallel monitoring of the activity of ion channel and carrier proteins in lipid bilayers or suspended cells.
- Engineered, artificial ion channels.
- Ultrasensitive biomimetic sensors with two-fold amplification
- Juxtaposed lipid bilayers for electrophysiological recordings of gap junctions and for studying immunological synapses.
- Biosensors based on artificial synapses.
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