Show Notes
Join us in this episode as we dive into the intriguing world of synthetic biology with Alexandra Fischer, a PhD student in the Materials Synthetic Biology research department at INM. Discover how Alexandra's groundbreaking research on creating compartments in living cells using light is revolutionizing our understanding of cellular processes. Learn how she combines optogenetics and liquid-liquid phase separation of achieve biomolecular condensation on-demand in mammalian cells. Finally, find out how these innovations could pave the way for new applications in biotechnology.
To learn more about Alexandra, check out her LinkedIN page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra...
To learn more about the science she describes, check out these publications: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/s... https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202311834
To get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/researc...
You can also find him on X/Twitter ( https://twitter.com/ShrikrishnanS ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrish... ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/shirish.san... )
To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on X/Twitter ( https://twitter.com/Leibniz_INM ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-... ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/ )
More from Material Minds
What happens when electronics stop being rigid boxes and start becoming part of the world around us? In this episode of Material Minds, host Shrikrishnan Sankaran speaks with Professor Tobias Kraus about the future of flexible electronics, stretchable conductors, smart textiles, and recyclable electronic materials. From sensor-enabled T-shirts and intelligent furniture to the challenge of making semiconductors deform without breaking, this conversation explores how materials science could bring electronics into everyday life in ways that are softer, smarter, and more sustainable.
Have you ever calculated the environmental cost of every pair of socks you own or every flight you’ve taken since birth? In this episode of Material Minds, we sit down with Professor Matthias Finkbeiner, head of the Sustainable Engineering Department at TU Berlin and a world-leading researcher in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
What’s it like to spend a week surrounded by over 30 Nobel Laureates? In this episode of Material Minds, host Shrikrishnan Sankaran speaks with Anna, Delvina, and Mingren, three INM researchers selected to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting 2025 for chemistry.
Join us on Material Minds as we delve into the groundbreaking world of protein-based Materials with Professor Luai R. Khoury from Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology!
Join us on Material Minds as we delve into the fascinating world of MXenes with their inventor, Professor Michael Naguib from Tulane University. Discover how these groundbreaking 2D materials, similar to graphene but with unique properties, are set to transform everything from energy storage and batteries to stimulating nerve cells and medical applications. In this episode, Michael shares the intriguing story of how MXenes were accidentally discovered during his PhD, his bold claims about their potential to revolutionize the materials landscape, and the surprising — and quite literal — role a pasta maker plays in their scalable production! We also discuss the future of energy materials, including the shift towards sodium-ion batteries and innovative uses for MXenes in radioactive iodine adsorption and catalysis. Prepare to have your mind expanded as we explore the incredible versatility and potential of Maxines, and get a glimpse into the exciting future of materials science and sustainable energy.