GRK 2039:  Molecular architectures for fluorescent cell imaging

• Subject Area: Biological Chemistry and Food Chemistry ; Molecular Chemistry ; Physical Chemistry
• Term: from 2015 to 2024
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 250526013

The core idea of this RTG is to merge organic chemistry, chemical biology, biophysics, theoretical/physical chemistry, and cell biology to develop tailor-made fluorescent probes that enable researchers to address important biological questions by optical imaging. Hence, innovation within the RTG results from the combined efforts of these complementary research fields. Our research programme covers the complete evaluation line of fluorescent probes ranging from design, synthesis, and photophysics over bioconjugation, to in vivo imaging. Herein, the key challenges of the first funding period concerned the bioconjugation to link chemistry and biology in this RTG and to achieve specified molecular architectures. In the second funding period we will proceed with this approach but will further strengthen the application of light to switch and, thereby, control biological properties, such as transmembrane transport. With the new fluorescent architectures in hand, we will focus on their application for the imaging of complex biological systems. This includes both the implementation in selected cell lines, and the adaptation to zebrafish and mice as animal models. However, due to the focus on basic research of novel molecular architectures, we currently exclude medicinal objectives or clinical applications. Accompanying these efforts, theoretical and physical chemists will guide the design of the probes by the description of photophysics, molecular dynamics and quantum chemistry; the participating physics group will strengthen the RTG by applying highest-resolution fluorescence microscopy methods. The interdisciplinarity is also projected into our qualification programme. Regular thematic lectures, seminar days and annual workshops help students to develop skills on a high scientific level. In the next funding period, we will strengthen the "soft skills" training addressing lecturing skills, scientific creativity, publishing, ethics, digitalization and career development because these are of increasing importance and they were well received by the doctoral researchers. Such a multifaceted education is not self-evident for doctoral researchers and thus represents a crucial benefit for all RTG members. We present a structured research, supervision and teaching concept with the objective to give doctoral researchers both the necessary interdisciplinary scientific and networking competences to advance their research and to prepare them for their future career in the best possible way.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Hans-Achim Wagenknecht
• Participating Researchers: Dr. Claudia Bizzarri; Professor Dr. Stefan Bräse; Professor Dr. Marcus Elstner; Professor Dr. Christof M. Niemeyer; Professor Dr. Gerd Ulrich Nienhaus; Professorin Dr. Ute Schepers; Professor Dr. Uwe Strähle; Professorin Dr. Anne Ulrich; Professor Dr. Andreas-Neil Unterreiner