Projekt

Biomolecular motors operating in engineered environments are promising tools for the setup of highly-efficient molecular sorting and nano-assembly devices. However, reliable methods to specifically control the motor activity by external signals are currently lacking. The project therefore aims to design and test novel strategies to influence the operation of biomolecular transport systems using stimuli-responsive polymers. In particular, we will synthesize functionalized thermo- and photoresponsive polymers to spatio-temporally control the gliding motion of microtubule filaments on surfaces coated with kinesin motor proteins. Among our goals is the starting and stopping of individual microtubule transporters, as well as the generation of reconfigurable kinesin tracks for guided motility. Thus, the project aims to advance the state-of-the-art in switchable bionano hybrid materials and will generate a new class of externally controlled nanotransport systems.

• Dr. Stefan Diez

  Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare
  Zellbiologie und Genetik
  Forschungsgruppe Bionanotechnologie
  Dresden
  

• Prof. Dr. Manfred Stamm

  Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung
  Dresden e.V.
  Teilinstitut für Physikalische Chemie
  und Physik der Polymere
  Dresden
  

• Prof. Dr. Dirk Kuckling

  Universität Paderborn
  Department Chemie
  Organische und Makromolekulare Chemie
  Paderborn