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Benjamin Schmuck

Benjamin Schmuck
The main task of my Ph.D. studies concerns the exploration of biotechnological applications for cross-β structured protein nanofibers.

Presentation

These kinds of nanofibers are endowed with remarkable physical strength and rigidity making them an interesting scaffold for functional materials. Structurally, they consist of repeating units of self-assembled proteins that are held together through hydrogen bonding.

To construct functionalized nanofibers, we initially design protein fusion variants of the fibrillating entity and a functional domain on a genetic level. These proteins are then purified and evaluated with respect to their function and fiber forming abilities. By controlling the self-assembling dynamics, we are able to efficiently conduct co-aggregation, i.e. simultaneous fibrillation of the functionalized and un-functionalized variants. The beauty of this approach is that nanofibers can be specifically engineered and can thus be adapted to serve a wide variety of purposes. 

Image of functionalized fibrils obtained through transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

Publications

Background

PhD candidate in Molecular Biotechnology since Dec. 2013, under the supervision of Prof. Torleif Härd.

M.Sc. in Biochemistry (2013) from Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

B.Sc. in Chemistry (2011) from Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden


Contact

Researcher at the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry (AFB); Division of Anatomy and Physiology
Telephone: +4618672092, +46761274134
Postal address:
Institutionen för anatomi, fysiologi och biokemi
Box 7023
75007 UPPSALA
Visiting address: VHC Huvudentré, Ulls väg 26, hus 5, plan 4, Uppsala