PhD Researcher Positions – ERC Advanced Grant ProtoEco: Protoecologies between Artificial Cells and Mammalian Cells

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PhD Researcher Positions ERC Advanced Grant Project ProtoEco – Protoecologies between Artificial Cells and Mammalian Cells Walther Lab @ Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany Max Planck Research Fellow Group @ Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research www.walther-group.com Keywords: Artificial cells, synthetic cells, biomaterials, synthetic biology, DNA nanoscience, polymer gels, systems chemistry, enzymatic reaction networks, cell biology, biointerfaces, mammalian cells, tissue-like systems, cell spheroids, biointeractive materials. Project Background The Walther Lab at JGU Mainz pioneers life-like materials and systems at the interface of systems chemistry, chemical reaction networks, DNA nanoscience, artificial cells, polymer materials, and cell-facing biomaterials. We are interested in empowering molecular systems, materials, and artificial cells with embodied intelligence — chemical and physical — so that they can compute, adapt, self-regulate, or make simple decisions. With the new ERC Advanced Grant project ProtoEco – Protoecologies between Artificial Cells and Mammalian Cells, we aim to pioneer a new generation of interactive communities between life-like artificial and living matter. The central question is whether life-like artificial/synthetic cells can coexist, communicate, and cooperate with mammalian cells in structured 2D and 3D environments. Instead of treating artificial/synthetic cells as isolated mimics of life, ProtoEco will develop biohybrid micro-communities that exchange metabolites, energy, and signals. We aim to understand how such synthetic–living communities can give rise to emergent, adaptive, collective, and potentially homeostatic properties, and how these concepts may open new directions in intelligent biomaterials, tissue engineering, and adaptive therapeutic systems. Research Directions We are looking for excellent PhD researchers who want to contribute to one or more of the following research directions. 1. Polymer-based artificial cells, biointeractive materials, and metabolic coupling We will develop soft polymer capsules and microgel artificial-cell platforms with tunable mechanics, permeability, responsiveness, and biointerface properties. By integrating enzymatic reaction networks, metabolic modules, and homeostatic feedback systems, we will establish synthetic cross-feeding and metabolic interactions with mammalian cells. Possible project elements include: Microfluidic synthesis of polymer capsules and microgels Encapsulation of enzymatic reaction networks, metabolic modules, or pH-feedback systems Tuning the mechanics, permeability, and responsiveness of artificial cells Quantification of metabolic exchange and synthetic cross-feeding Construction of metabolic interaction maps with mammalian cells 2. DNA-based artificial cells and molecular computing We will engineer DNA-based artificial cells and condensates that can sense, process, and respond to molecular signals. These systems provide a powerful platform for DNA computing and programmable signal processing. Possible project elements include: Preparation and functionalization of DNA-based artificial cells Design of DNA computing circuits Integration of molecular logic gates into artificial cell compartments Protein, cytokine, or metabolite sensing Development of signal-processing artificial cells that communicate with living cells 3. Artificial-cell/mammalian-cell interfaces and biomaterials concepts ProtoEco will combine artificial and mammalian cells in structured 2D landscapes, co-spheroids, and tissue-like assemblies to determine how spatial organization, cell–material interactions, mechanics, and molecular communication shape emergent behavior. Possible project elements include: Mammalian cell culture and artificial cell / cell co-culture Assembly of artificial cell / mammalian cell co-spheroids Lithographic or colloidal approaches to 2D and 3D organization Quantitative fluorescence and confocal microscopy Image analysis