Research Focus

We study the mechanisms of protein self-organization to understand how proteins interact and coordinate to generate the complex behaviors essential for life.

Rather than examining these processes in whole cells, we use a bottom-up synthetic biology approach. By reconstructing cellular processes from purified components in vitro, we achieve high experimental control and gain insight into the fundamental principles that drive biological organization.

Our main research interests include bacterial cell division and small GTPase signaling pathways. We collaborate closely with experts in bacterial cell biology, structural biology, evolutionary biology and soft matter physics to explore these systems from multiple angles.

About the Loose Lab

The Loose Lab is part of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), located in Klosterneuburg, close to Vienna, Austria. Our research is currently funded by the European Research Council (ERC) and EMBO.