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Concept & Research Fields
The Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics Osnabrueck (CellNanOs) brings together scientists from the Schools of Biology/Chemistry, Human Sciences and Mathematics/Informatics/Physics to drive interdisciplinary method development at the interface of nanoscience and cell biology. Its central mission is to enable researchers to unveil the dynamic molecular architecture of living cells with exceptional spatial and temporal resolution. Availability of cutting-edge methodologies in this field are vital to the Collaborative Research Center SFB 1557 “Functional Plasticity Encoded by Cellular Membrane Networks”. Further methodological advancement is fostered by the Research Training Group RTG 2900 “nanomaterials@biomembranes”, qualifying the next generation of interdisciplinary scientists. The dedicated CellNanOs Research Building provides state-of-the-art infrastructure, creating a vibrant environment where innovative techniques are developed, shared, and applied.
Research fields of the CellNanOs at a glance. Details are sketched below.
Field A: Synthesis & Biofunctionalization
Coordinators: Andreas Hennig & Joost Holthuis
Research field A aims at developing probes and reporters with tailored physical and biological properties for spectroscopic and microscopic interrogation of cellular microcompartments. To this end, we focus on synthesizing tailored nanomaterials, supramolecular biosensors and lipid tools, as well as devising surface functionalization for functional interfacing with biomolecules and cells. Specific approaches followed within research field A include:
- Synthesis and biofunctionalization of energy-converting nanoparticles for nanoscale photomanipulation and interrogation
- Protein labeling with photostable and photoswitchable organic fluorescent dyes and nanoparticles
- Biosensing and manipulation based on host-guest complexes
- Lipid tools for acute manipulation of cellular membrane properties
- Surface micro- and nanopatterning for functional interfacing with biomolecules and cells
Field B: Visualization & Manipulation
Coordinator: Michael Hensel & Jacob Piehler
The focus of research field B is the advancement and adaptation of high and superresolution fluorescence and electron microscopy techniques for resolving the spatiotemporal organization of biomolecules in cells down to atomic scale. Developing streamlined workflows for the combination of complementary imaging modalities and providing these within the framework of the Integrated Bioimaging Facility iBiOs is a key aim. Current activities in research field B include:
- Single-molecule imaging in live cells and tissues
- Super-resolved volumetric imaging in live and fixed cells
- Electron microscopy for three-dimensional ultrastructural imaging and for localizing proteins and protein complexes in cells
- Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy for structural biology
- Multi-photon excitation microscopy techniques based on tailored non-linear optic (NLO) nanomaterials
- Correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM)
Field C: Qualitative & Quantitative Bioanalytics
Coordinator: Florian Fröhlich & Arne Möller
Within research field C, we will develop and share techniques to dissect the protein and lipid compositions of microcompartments, to identify and quantify molecular interactions and to resolve the structures of biomolecules and their complexes in native environments. Methodology is particularly streamlined for structural and functional analyses of membrane proteins. Our methodological repertoire includes:
- Mass spectrometric analyses of proteins and lipids in combination with subcellular isolation provided via the Mass Spectrometry Facility
- Structural biology for resolving of conformations and conformational dynamics of proteins in near-native environments
- Functional assays in reconstituted membrane systems
- Surface-based techniques for quantitative interaction analyses with purified protein and native cellular samples
- Quantitative binding assays for the quantification of interactions in living cells
Field D: Image Processing, Modeling & Simulation
Coordinator: Stefan Kunis & Gordon Pipa
Research field D is dedicated to the development and implementation of algorithms and methods with focus on image processing and modeling of multiscale processes by close collaboration with mathematicians, physicists and cognitive scientists. Specific aims and activities of this research field include:
- Quantitative processing and visualization of data from advanced imaging techniques
- New approaches to volumetric superresolution image processing
- Integrate machine learning into image processing
- Identify causality and correlations in complex data sets by AI-based analyses
- Mechanistic description of molecular processes across scales
