Methodologies

Synthetic Biology of Modular Proteins

Using advanced DNA assembly techniques such as the VersaTile method, we diversify modular phage proteins to generate large combinatorial libraries. These libraries enable systematic screening for improved properties and provide a powerful framework to dissect the function of individual protein modules.

To support high-throughput exploration of this modular design space, we integrate parallel expression and purification workflows, allowing rapid and scalable characterization of engineered variants.

Protein Factory

Our lab has advanced infrastructure for the production and purification of selected proteins. We implement workflows ranging from standard purification strategies to advanced chromatography, enabling the generation of highly pure protein preparations with minimal endotoxin, LPS, contamination for demanding functional and translational applications.

Phage Engineering

We engineer bacteriophages and tailocins — phage-derived particles lacking a head and genome — by modifying receptor-binding proteins (RBPs) and their modular domains. This allows us to dissect RBP functionality and directly link molecular architecture to host specificity. By recombining and redesigning binding modules, we create phages and tailocins with tailored host ranges, providing versatile platforms for studying and engineering targeted bacterial interactions.

Automated Phage Evolution

We have automated phage evolution workflows to study how phages respond to recombination and adapt to new conditions. This approach enables us to track evolutionary trajectories and select variants with improved fitness, supporting the development of optimized phages for therapeutic applications.