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Our goal is to understand, design, and produce artificial molecular systems operating at the interface between chemistry, biology, and physics. We study how individual proteins can be rationally designed or artificially evolved in the lab to control their function, such as binding to specific target molecules or catalyzing chemical reactions. Our toolbox includes techniques from protein engineering, high-throughput screening, single-molecule measurement techniques, and stimuli-responsive polymers and hydrogels. The longterm goal is to deploy these engineered protein systems as novel biomedical therapies, diagnostics, and for industrial applications across a broad range of fields from human health to the chemical and agricultural sectors. 

Our lab is a joint venture between the Department of Chemistry at the University of Basel and the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering of ETH Zurich. The lab was founded as part of the Swiss National Science Foundation’s National Center for Competence in Research (NCCR) in Molecular Systems Engineering (MSE). For contact information and directions, please see here.

While we are not currently recruiting for specific positions, we welcome spontaneous inquiries from motivated individuals whose background and skills align with our research activities. If you are seeking a position as a master’s student, PhD candidate, or postdoctoral researcher and believe your profile is a good fit, please reach out!