Further Research Interests
(focuses in the past)
Aptamers – artificial, highly affine nucleic acid molecules
The functionality of aptamers is similar to that of antibodies. Aptamer are selected for specific target molecules by an in vitro selection and amplification method called SELEX. They can recognise and bind their targets with high affinity and specificity. As single-stranded oligonucleotides, aptamers are able to fold into complex and stable three-dimensional structures, which allow them to specifically interact with their targets. Aptamers are receiving increasing attention as alternative affinity reagents and represent essential tools in both basic and applied research. Aptamers can be used to detect and characterise their targets but also to modify the activity of their targets. Therefore, they provide a broad range of applications, e.g., affinity enrichment, analytics, medical diagnostics, or therapy.
Research focuses:
- SELEX technology for the selection of target-specific DNA aptamers (
Review
)
( FluMag-SELEX , cell-SELEX, Capture-SELEX , automatable methods)
- new sequencing technologies (NGS) and bioinformatic analysis as part of the optimisation of the aptamer selection process
- selection of new DNA aptamers for various targets such as peptides/proteins, small organic molecules or complex structures/target mixtures
(streptavidin, Tau peptide, toxins, pharmaceuticals, bacterial LPS, and bacterial Protein A: original aptamer selection / expanding the aptamer portfolio )
- characterisation and post-SELEX modification/optimisation of selected aptamers
- G-quadruplex aptamers
(aptamer for ethanolamine, aptamer for Protein A / Staphylococcus aureus )
- development and application of aptamer-based assays using different detection principles (fluorescence-based assays, ELONA, Biacore, IAsys, MST), applying own and well-known aptamers such as aptamers for thrombin or cocaine
electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus
Yeast Genetics
- Arxula adeninivorans (new Blastobotrys adeninivorans), Candida utilis as non-conventional yeasts: genetic diversity of Candida utilis , screening/cloning of specific genes of A. adeninivorans ( ARFC3 gene ), heterologous gene expression ( the ALEU2 gene as a new component )
- S. cerevisiae: protein secretion/transport using secretory mutants