Biomembrane Engineering
Research Group Leader: Kevin Jahnke
Kevin Jahnke’s Biomembrane Engineering Group, which is currently being formed, investigates the biophysical principles of cells and lipid vesicles by engineering synthetic lipid nano- and microstructures with tailored properties. By connecting biophysical insights with biotechnological applications, the group aims to develop innovative approaches for drug delivery and the manipulation of cellular membranes. It will start its research work at the beginning of March 2026.
The group’s research focus
Central to the group’s work will be synthetic lipid vesicles. These have a structure similar to that of natural cell membranes, but they can be produced in the laboratory in large numbers and with an endless variety of components, structures and forms. This makes them ideal objects for exploring and understanding all aspects of the biophysics of cell membranes. Furthermore, synthetic lipid vesicles can be used to build a wide range of specifically designed alternatives to cells for use in medical applications. They could also be the starting point for numerous programmed nano- and microstructures for other technological applications such as drug delivery.
Central questions
Key questions the Biomembrane Engineering group intends to investigate include: How can lipid nanostructures be rationally designed to enable efficient drug loading, uptake, and controlled release? In what ways does leaflet asymmetry modulate the biophysical behavior and functional properties of lipid membranes? Is it possible to engineer unconventional or entirely new classes of delivery vehicles using these principles?
“In the Jahnke Lab, we engineer synthetic lipid nanostructures that reveal the biophysical properties of both cells and lipid vesicles — and from there we move on to developing biotechnological applications.” Kevin Jahnke
Expanding the frontier of membrane engineering
Building these bottom-up systems allows precise control over membrane biophysics and biochemistry and promises new fundamental insights in these fields. The Biomembrane Engineering group aims to transfer its biophysical insights into biotechnological applications, opening pathways for the treatment of lipid-associated diseases and applications such as the delivery of gene-editing proteins.
To achieve its goals, the group employs a broad experimental toolkit including cell culture, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, dynamic light scattering, microfluidics, and micropipette aspiration. These methods allow to build and characterize membrane systems across a range of magnitudes, and to design synthetic cell-counterparts with tailored properties and behaviors.
Join the team!
The Biomembrane Engineering Group is currently forming and looking for motivated master students, PhD students and postdocs who want to help put its scientific vision into practice. If you’re excited about biophysics, biotechnology, or soft matter physics, we welcome your application. You will find a stimulating environment that encourages creativity and collaborative, interdisciplinary problem-solving!
A selection of Kevin Jahnke’s latest publications