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SUMMARY:IMX Seminar Series - DNA Bioengineering
DTSTART:20221017T131500
DTEND:20221017T141500
DTSTAMP:20260407T123350Z
UID:371f2b8998fdd92f1a5f862aa1939ccfaf515cbb2d01b92302c39277
CATEGORIES:Conferences - Seminars
DESCRIPTION:Dr. Kerstin Göpfrich\, Max Planck\, Heidelberg\, Germany\nCan
  we construct a cell from non-living matter? In search for answers\, botto
 m-up synthetic biology has successfully encapsulated functional sets of bi
 omolecules inside lipid vesicles\, yet a “living” synthetic cell remai
 ns unattained. Instead of relying exclusively on biological building block
 s\, the integration of new tools can be a shortcut towards the assembly of
  active and eventually fully functional synthetic cells. This is especiall
 y apparent when considering recent advances in DNA nanotechnology. DNA nan
 otechnology allowed us to engineer various functional parts for synthetic 
 cells\, which\, meanwhile have found diverse applications as biophysical p
 robes in cell biology. Recently\, we engineered functional DNA-based mimic
 s of a cytoskeleton. These cytoskeletons are capable of stimuli-responsive
  reversible assembly\, cargo transport and can deform giant unilamellar li
 pid vesicles (GUVs) from within. We further demonstrate the division of GU
 Vs based on phase separation or spontaneous curvture increase and osmosis 
 rather than the biological building blocks of a cell’s division machiner
 y. We derive a parameter-free analytical model which makes quantitative pr
 edictions that we verify experimentally. The osmolarity increase can be tr
 iggered by enzymatic reactions or by light-triggered release of caged comp
 ounds. Ultimately\, by coupling GUV division to their informational conten
 t and their function\, we aim for a prototype of a synthetic cell capable 
 of evolution.\nBio: since 2019\nIndependent Max Planck Research Group Lead
 er (W2)\nMember of the Excellence Cluster 3D Matter Made to Order\nMax Pla
 nck Institute for Medical Research\, Heidelberg\, Germany\n2017 – 2019\n
 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow\nMax Planck Institute for Inte
 lligent Systems\, Stuttgart\, Germany\n2013 – 2017\nPh.D. in Physics\nGa
 tes Cambridge Fellow\, Winton Fellow\nCavendish Laboratory\, University of
  Cambridge\, United Kingdom\n2012 – 2013\nM.Phil. in Physics\nCavendish 
 Laboratory\, University of Cambridge\, United Kingdom\n2009 – 2012\nB.Sc
 . in Physics and Molecular Medicine\nUniversity of Erlangen\, Germany\n\n
  
LOCATION:https://epfl.zoom.us/j/68885447011
STATUS:CONFIRMED
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