Technical University of Munich
Professur für Systemchemie (Prof. Boekhoven)
Lichtenbergstr. 4
85748 Garching b. München
To answer these fundamental questions, we believe we must first synthesize life.
In the Boekhoven lab, we use experiment and theory to build life from the bottom up. Our goal is to create synthetic cells that compete with each other for resources and undergo Darwinian evolution.
We design and synthesize molecules like lipids, peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids to self-assemble into synthetic cells. We add chemical reagents to form complex mixtures in which synthetic cells compete for scarce resources. We ensure the synthetic cells can replicate and mutate. This replication and selection pressure, combined with mutations, are critical ingredients that will lead us to life from the bottom up… Life as we do not know it (yet). (research overview)
Chem
Abstract: The central dogma of molecular biology describes how genotype affects phenotype through the transfer of information from DNA to RNA to proteins and thus influences the cell’s traits. Reciprocally, the…
Nature Communications
Abstract: Synthetic cells emulate fundamental biological behaviors, like growth, metabolism, and mobility, but have lacked genotype-driven selection, which is essential for Darwinian evolution. Here, we…
Journal of the American Chemical Society
Abstract: Phosphorylation is among the most ubiquitous and essential posttranslational modifications in biological systems. It is regulated by highly complex enzymatic networks. Here, we explore enzyme-free…
STAR Protocols
Abstract: Complex coacervate droplets are synthetic cell models that sequester nucleic acids. Here, we present a protocol for the recovery and deep sequencing of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) from metabolically…
Biomacromolecules
Abstract: Molecular self-assembly creates complex structures through noncovalent interactions. Synthetic fuel-driven systems mimic biology, yet the effects of subtle design changes, particularly hydrophobic…
Chemistry - A European Journal
Abstract: Fuel-dependent synthetic cells are compartments that require fuel to emerge and sustain. Without fuel, they decay, serving as a selection pressure in fueling-starvation experiments. Recently, we…
Physical Review Letters
Abstract: In the field of biomolecular condensates and synthetic systems, it is an open question whether liquid droplets can undergo self-sustained oscillations of formation and dissolution. To unravel the…
ChemSystemsChem
Abstract: Regulating the formation and dissolution of active complex coacervate droplets with chemical reactions offers a powerful synthetic cell model. Such active droplets are also helpful in understanding…
Chem
Abstract: The synthesis of life from non-living matter has captivated and divided scientists for centuries. This bold goal aims at unraveling the fundamental principles of life and leveraging its unique…
Nucleic Acids Research
Abstract: Biogenesis of small interfering RNAs (siRNA) in Drosophila melanogaster involves the processing of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) by Dcr-2 with Loqs-PD/R2D2 and Ago2. Here, we show that Loqs-PD and Ago2…
| Title | Dates | Duration | Type | Lecturer (assistant) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group meeting Supramolecular Chemistry Group |
|
2 | SE | |
| Literature Discussion Supramolecular Materials |
|
1 | SE | |
| Research Internship with Focus on Chemical Aspects (CH0510) |
|
8 | FO | |
| Supramolecular Chemistry (CH3216) |
|
3 | VI |