Erik Schäffer
Nanomechanics of Cellular Machines
University of Tübingen
IMPRS Faculty
Vita
- PhD work in polymer physics, Konstanz and Groningen Universities, 1998-2001
- Postdoctoral training, MPI of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, 2002-06
- Group leader, TU Dresden, 2007-12
- Professor for Cellular Nanoscience at the University of Tübingen since 2012
Research Interest
Molecular machines are fascinating devices that drive self-organization in cells. While the protein components of many biological machines have been identified, the mechanical principles that govern the operation of biological machines are poorly understood. For example, how much force can they generate; and what limits their speed and efficiency? We use and develop single-molecule fluorescence and label-free microscopy, high-resolution optical tweezers and novel trapping probes to measure intermolecular forces that are central to biological questions such as how kinesin motor proteins move and diffuse along microtubules, orchestrate plant cytokinesis, or how damaged DNA is repaired via homologous recombination.
Right: Schematic. By dragging diffusing kinesin molecules with laser tweezers over a microtubule, the friction force between the motor and its microtubule track can be measured very precisely.
Kinesin motor transports vesicle along microtubule.
Available PhD project
- Currently not recruiting doctoral researchers.
Selected Reading
- Sudhakar S, Abdosamadi MK, Jachowski TJ, Bugiel M, Jannasch A and Schäffer E. (2021). Germanium nanospheres for ultraresolution picotensiometry of kinesin motors. Science. doi: 10.1126/science.abd9944
- Ramaiya A, Roy B, Bugiel M and Schäffer E. (2017). Kinesin rotates unidirectionally and generates torque while walking on microtubules. PNAS. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1706985114
- Bormuth V, Varga V, Howard J and Schäffer E. (2009). Protein friction limits diffusive and directed movements of kinesin motors on microtubules. Science. doi: 10.1126/science.1174923