Our Mission
Harnessing molecular design to control biological complexity
Understanding and engineering the basic principles of life
We merge DNA nanotechnology, protein design, and synthetic biology to understand and engineer living systems from the molecule to the organoid. By designing programmable biomolecular machines, cells, and tissues we are building the life sciences of tomorrow.
Research Areas
From Molecules to Organoids – BioSysteM is organized into four Research Areas
Area A
Molecular
Design
Combining nucleic acid nanotechnology with protein design
Area A aims at developing robust design platforms to create self-assembling biomolecular systems of ever-increasing complexity and functionality. Standards and modularization principles for biomolecular systems engineering will be established, serving as the molecular foundry that delivers components for Areas B, C and D.
Area B
Molecular
Assemblies
Controlling molecular self-organization
Area B focuses on integrating designed biomolecular components (Area A) into dynamic, multiscale assembiles to generate emergent, life-like behaviors. Advancements will lead to cell-free synthetic biology based on molecular assembly lines and to biomedical applications further explored in Area C and D.
Area C
Cellular
Model Systems
Programming and interrogating cell behavior
A major goal of Area C is the expression, assembly, and integration of molecular components and devices from Areas A and B inside living cells. Communication via small molecules, protein binders, RNA, DNA and vesicles will facilitate molecular information transfer across scales, enabling distributed computing and collective behaviors in cells.
Area D
Multicellular Systems and Organoids
Improving organoid systems as testbeds for synthetic biology
Area D is devoted to next-generation organoid systems to advance our fundamental understanding of organ development in health and disease, thereafter leading to novel therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. Ultimately, this will enable us to design next-generation organoid systems with increased reliability, function and integration of differen types of organoids. Tools developed in Area A and B will be used to improve regeneration approaches via reprogramming for replacement of cell types lost due to pathology.
Research Themes
Integrated Research Themes are introduced as a connector structure linking all Research Areas with respect to specific “hallmarks of life” aiming to identify synergies, provide feedback and ideas to the Areas and initiate additional collaborations among them
MORE SOON
Mission-driven M-Projects
To tackle outstanding challenges that aim at the realization of concrete applications for the systems and methods developed in BioSysteM, we will develop integrative mission-driven projects spanning several Research Areas. Early on, each M-Project will embed an entrepreneur in residence, who will offer advice and help identify suitable business opportunities along the way.
BioSysteM plans to launch ambitious, cross-disciplinary projects that accelerate translation from basic science to application. Current flagships include pattern-based therapeutics, biomedical nanorobots and programmable biosynthetic assembly lines.