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)
Journal of the American Chemical Society
Abstract: Biomolecular condensates formed through liquid-liquid phase separation play central roles in intracellular organization and regulation. Replicating such dynamic compartmentalization using minimal…
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…
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…
Advanced Functional Materials
Abstract: Inspired by nature, chemically fueled reaction cycles provide a general strategy to couple the dissipation of chemical potential to controlled changes in molecular structure, assembly, and material…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Journal of the American Chemical Society
Abstract: Synthetic cells are compartments designed to mimic the functions and characteristics of living cells. By constructing synthetic cells from abiotic, basic components (bottom-up), it is possible to…
| Title | Dates | Duration | Type | Lecturer (assistant) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group meeting Supramolecular Chemistry Group |
|
2 | SE | |
| Literature Discussion Supramolecular Materials |
|
1 | SE | |
| Reactivity of Organic Compounds (CH0862) |
|
3 | VO | |
| Reactivity of Organic Compounds (for Chemical Engineers), Exercises (CH0862) |
|
1 | UE |
J. Boekhoven [L]
|
| Research Internship with Focus on Chemical Aspects (CH0510) |
|
8 | FO |