My research focuses on understanding the interactions of supramolecular complexes that form the structural elements of cells and carry out essentially all functions and processes within living cells. Investigating macromolecules in their native context is key to understanding the dynamics of structure, function and interactions. Biologically, we are mainly interested in virus-host-interactions and membrane modulation. To this end, we use an integrated approach applying electron cryo tomography (cryoET) in combination with complementary approaches ranging from live cell imaging to high-resolution structural information like from X ray crystallography.
Our group is involved in various efforts of methods development including the integration of tomographic imaging with ‘single particle’ approaches, proteomics and particularly correlation microscopy combining advanced fluorescence (cryo) microscopy imaging with X-ray cryo microscopy/tomography and electron cryo microscopy/tomography.