Single Molecule Biophotonics

Prof. Dr. María García-Parajo

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Our research exploits a battery of single molecule imaging and super-resolution microscopy tools to visualize and manipulate cellular function at the nanometre scale.

Our main research goal is to decipher how spatiotemporal compartmentalization of biomolecules inside cells regulates and control cell function, a fundamental question that has major implications for health and disease. Compartmentalization is a general property of natural systems that efficiently facilitates and orchestrates biological events in space and time. In the last two decades, compartmentalization of the plasma membrane has emerged as a dominant feature present at different spatiotemporal scales. Intriguingly, most membrane receptors organize in well-defined nanoclusters, smaller than 100 nm in size. Biochemical and/or mechanical signals are sensed and processed by these nanoclusters. This information is then conveyed to the intracellular environment via different signalling cascades for appropriate cell responses. Receptor nanoclustering and functioning is influenced by their dynamic interaction with other molecules and the surrounding environment. Yet, having access to the dynamic re-modelling of the environment, impact in receptor organization and function, and real-time interactions between different molecules remains challenging.

To overcome these challenges, our Lab develops and applies a battery of optical imaging technologies based on multi-colour single molecule imaging and super-resolution microscopy combined with quantitative image analysis and simulations. We exploit novel mechano-sensitive and photo-switchable fluorescent probes together with nanotechnology approaches to simultaneously map the mechanical properties of the plasma membrane while monitoring biomolecular interactions in real time at different spatiotemporal scales. Using these tools, we aim at understanding how mechanical inputs from the extracellular environment control the dynamic nanoscale organization of different receptors in the plasma membrane, their influence in mechanosignalling and final cell response.

Position(s) available: The group has opportunities for outstanding Master students, Ph.D. students, and postdocs. For more information, please reach Prof. Dr. Maria Garcia-Parajo. Information on application procedures can be found on the ICFO jobs website.

Single Molecule Biophotonics

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