Membrane Sensors by DNA Nanotech (A13*)

• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: from 2021 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 201269156

The cell membrane is the compartment where cellular response is first elicited. Also, it is instrumental for communication channels including electrical potentials in neurons, but sensing on the membrane is challenging as the combination of a multitude of different properties into fairly small molecular components is required. Using DNA nanotechnology, we aim at establishing a new family of non-genetically encoded membrane sensors with modular designs for measuring electrical membrane potential, membrane curvature and tension.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1032: Nanoagents for Spatio-temporal Control of Molecular and Cellular Reactions
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Philip Tinnefeld