SFB 1032:  Nanoagents for Spatio-temporal Control of Molecular and Cellular Reactions

• Subject Area: Physics ; Biology ; Chemistry
• Term: from 2012 to 2024
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 201269156

The Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1032, designs nanoscale biomolecular constructs, i.e. nanoagents, that are capable of controlling functional processes at the molecular scale to extend to interfacing with living cells in a programmable manner. Key design strategies are (i) nucleic acid-based scaffolds, (ii) functionalized membranes and nanotemplated surfaces, and (iii) macromolecular guidance cues in 3D matrices. The CRC structure is outlined in area A, “Spatio-temporal control in nanoscale molecular reaction networks” – focusing on the design principles of nanoagents made from DNA, proteins and lipid membranes – and area B, “Nanosystems controlling cellular dynamics” – where nanoscale agents are used to physically guide or genetically control living cells. The unifying challenge of the CRC is to build artificial constructs at multiple scales in order to control and quantify cellular perturbations, enhance visualization approaches, and more vigorously develop and apply theoretical concepts under highly-controlled confining boundary conditions.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres

Current projects

• A02 - Sensing and control with nucleic acid hybrid nanoactuators (Project Head Simmel, Friedrich )
• A03 - Programmable pattern formation in systems of communicating subunits (Project Head Gerland, Ulrich )
• A04 - Mechanical breeding of DNA/RNA sequences (Project Head Braun, Dieter )
• A05 - Nano-agents for the manipulation of innate immunity (Project Head Carell, Thomas )
• A06 - DNA assemblies for structural analysis of guest molecules and plasmon-enhanced SERS (Project Heads Heuer-Jungemann, Amelie ;  Liedl, Tim )
• A07 - DNA scaffolds, rafts and switchable supported lipid membranes studied by x-rays (Project Heads Nickel, Bert ;  Rädler, Joachim )
• A08 - Spatio-temporal control of light-driven plasmonic and photoswitchable nanoagents (Project Head Lohmüller, Theobald )
• A09 - Spatio-temporal positioning of nanoagents by protein self-organization (Project Head Schwille, Petra )
• A10 - Control of organoid structure formation by the mechanical plasticity of collagen networks (Project Head Bausch, Andreas )
• A11 - Nanoimaging of DNA nanoagents interacting with cells (Project Head Jungmann, Ralf )
• A12 - RNA aptamers as sensors for the miR200-family of micro RNAs (Project Head Schneider, Sabine )
• A13 - Membrane Sensors by DNA Nanotech (Project Head Tinnefeld, Philip )
• B01 - Surface designs for the control of cell migration (Project Heads Rädler, Joachim ;  Veigel, Claudia )
• B02 - Formation of Pattern and Shape in Confined Cellular Systems (Project Head Frey, Erwin )
• B03 - Combining advanced fluorescence methods and nanoagents (Project Head Lamb, Don C. )
• B04 - Nucleic acid nanoagents utilizing the intracellular microRNA-200c machinery for switching functions in breast cancer cells (Project Head Wagner, Ernst )
• B08 - Controlling cellular function by structured environments: Artificial angioge-nesis (Project Head Zahler, Stefan )
• B09 - Spatio-temporal control over cell and membrane functions with light-driven nanoagents (Project Head Thorn-Seshold, Oliver )
• B12 - Physical principles of cell migration in confining and structured environments (Project Head Broedersz, Chase )
• MGK - Integrated Research Training Group (Project Heads Braun, Dieter ;  Liedl, Tim ;  Ruthardt, Nadia ;  Rädler, Joachim ;  Tinnefeld, Philip )
• Z - Central Tasks of the Collaborative Research Centre (Project Head Rädler, Joachim )

Completed projects

• A01 - Enzyme Networks by Design (Project Head Gaub, Hermann E. )
• B05 - Switchable Mesoporous Nanoconstructs for Controlling Cell Functions in Space and Time (Project Head Bein, Thomas )
• B06 - Imaging cellular response for temporal and spatial programmed nanoparticle action on the single cell level (Project Head Ruthardt, Nadia )
• B07 - Nanoagents in 3-dimensional biopolymer hydrogels (Project Head Lieleg, Oliver )
• B10 - Spatio-temporal control of immune cell trafficking by multifunctional nanoconstructs in vivo (Project Heads Krombach, Fritz ;  Rehberg, Markus )
• B11 - Nanoagents for controlled manipulation of cell-ECM interaction (Project Head Engelke, Hanna )

• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Participating University: Technische Universität München (TUM)
• Participating Institution: Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie (MPIB)
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Joachim Rädler