Research Groups

The discovery of anammox bacteria in the 1990's has dramatically changed our understanding of the global nitrogen cycle. These bacteria perform ANaerobic AMMonium Oxidation (ANAMMOX), combining ammonium with nitrite into molecular dinitrogen (N2) and water, yielding energy for the cell. This process relies on highly unusual intermediates such as hydrazine. The group is studying the molecular mechanism of the ANAMMOX process using structural biology.

Peer Fischer‘s research group is interested in developing micro-, nano- and molecular systems to efficiently interact with living materials. They have observed a number of fundamental effects. As a result, they are working on new experimental techniques, including ultrasound for neuromodulation, sonogenetics and tissue engineering. Progress in these endeavors promises efficient ways to deliver therapeutics across biological barriers, such as the blood-brain-barrier, and ways to control neuronal processes deep inside the brain, as well as direct the growth of cellular structures. The group also has a long-standing interest in nanorobotic systems and their use to probe the microstructure of tissue and as nano-vehicles to deliver genes.

Attaining a well-defined three dimensional structure and thus functionality can be a serious challenge in the early life of many proteins. Although the final structure is energetically favored, many side reactions can occur that lead to unproductive protein structures and assembles. This problem is even more challenging for very large assemblies like virus capsids that constitute the protective shell of viruses. Here, not only is the information of the final capsid protein structure encoded in the respective amino acid sequence, but also the supramolecular assembly that contains several hundred copies of this capsid protein and yet forms a precisely defined icosahedral capsid.