Cell Engineering
Cell Engineering
Über
By introducing and specifically targeting new proteins into cells, we aim to create systems that allow us to probe information processing in cell networks and generate new bioelectronic materials.
Forschungsthemen
Our current research is focused on:
Optogenetic Actuators
Stimulation and inhibition of neuronal signaling using light actuated channels and pumps. We utilize optogenetic actuators based on Channelrhodopsin and Anionchannelrhodopsin to manipulate neuronal networks at the single cell level with high flexibility in both spatial and temporal protocols. To expand the usefulness of optogenetic actuators, we explore tagging domains capable of subcellularly targeting the actuators and allowing their use in other cell types, such as epithelia (Fig. 1).
Genetically Encoded Calcium Indicators (GECIs)
The membrane potential of the cell is monitored fluorescently using GcAMP or RcAMP. Though not as temporally accurate as electrical methods, GECIs provide signaling information over sizable areas without gaps in recording areas, or difficult-to-attribute multiple unit detection on a single pixel.
Living Logic Gates
We use cell patterning techniques to control the connectivity of cortical neurons in vitro. These controlled patterns are aimed at producing networks capable of processing simple logic operations. The system requires bringing together single cell manipulation techniques, such as optogenetics and patch clamp, cell patterning, and readout systems such as Microelectrode Arrays (MEAs) or calcium imaging.
Identifying and Manipulating Key Neurons
Not all neurons in a network have equal ability to influence signaling in the network. We are working to identify these key influencers and how different modes of manipulation at the single cell level can alter wider network signaling. This will provide the most efficient methods for correcting aberrant network activity (as in disease or injury) or for programming information into the network (as in biomimetic computing) (Fig. 2).
Members
Former Members
Cole Wilson, Fulbright Fellow until 07/2022
Dominik Brinkmann, Doctoral researcher until 12/2021
Timm Hondrich, Doctoral Researcher until 09/2020
Lucas Bertram, Master Student until 12/2019
Jana Schieren, Master Student until 03/2019
Irina Tihaa, Doctoral Researcher until 06/2018
Annika Graeve, Bachelor Student until 03/2018
Sarah Roßbiegalle, Bachelor Student until 02/2018
Wenfang Li, Doctoral researcher until 03/2017
Lei Jin, Doctoral Researcher until 07/2016
Recent Publications
Improvements of Microcontact Printing for Micropatterned Cell Growth by Contrast Enhancement, Hondrich et al., Micromachines 2019, 10, 659; doi:10.3390/mi10100659, https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/10/10/659
How to image cell adhesion on soft polymers? Seyock et al., Micron 2017, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.micron.2016.11.002
Controlled Engineering of Oxide Surfaces for Bioelectronics Applications Using Organic Mixed Monolayers, Markov et al., ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces 2017 10.1021/acsami.7b08481, https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsami.7b08481
High-efficiency transduction and specific expression of ChR2opt for optogenetic manipulation of primary cortical neurons mediated by recombinant adeno-associated viruses, Jin et al., J Biotechnol,2016, 233:171–80, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiotec.2016.07.001
An evaluation of extracellular MEA versus optogenetic stimulation of cortical neurons
Maybeck et al., Biomed Phys Eng Express, 2016, 2:055017, https://doi.org/10.1088/2057-1976/2/5/055017