Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology (LNB)
The Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology (LNB) investigates the molecular structure and dynamics of complex molecular machines and cascades in the context of the living cell. Current strengths of LNB include technology innovation and the uncovering of structure-function relationships in specific biological contexts. Using our distinct expertise, we engage in the development and improvement of novel methods for electron microscopy and diffraction. In addition, we have unique capabilities in protein bioengineering, (bio-)microfabrication and correlative imaging methods. LNB’s scientific strengths are to link structural information to functional contexts at length scales ranging from proteins to single cells to tissue. Typical examples include it situ studies on eukaryotic cilia proteins in their natural context, studies of protein aggregation or chromatin structure in the context of cell function as well as computation of connectome maps of the brain based on bio-imaging data to reveal new insights into brain function.
Lab News & Scientific Highlights
Enabling early detection of cancer
PSI researchers develop a fundamentally new method for early detection of cancer.
Reprogramming tissue mechanically
Scientists at PSI have used mechanical stimuli to turn connective tissue cells into stem-cell-like cells and transplanted these into damaged skin tissue. This speeds up the regeneration of the skin and the healing of wounds.
Grasping diseases by the roots
PSI researchers take pictures of cell nuclei using modern high-resolution imaging techniques, employ learning algorithms to comb through these data, and thus can more reliably identify anomalies.