Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 677 - Function by Switching
Subprojects
B11: Switchable Cell Adhesion (since 2011)
Summary:
Photoswitching of cell adhesion has the potential to reversibly manipulate essential biological interactions with temporal and spatial resolution. Thus, it can expand our therapeutic options in medicine. The necessary biological specificity of the switching will be based on carbohydrate-specific cell adhesion and tested with fimbriated Escherichia coli bacteria. For the switching of bacterial adhesion two approaches will be tested and based on (i) designed photosensitive surfaces and (ii) the site-specific and bioorthogonal modification of the proteins responsible for adhesion.
