4-Laser Cell Sorter

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Functional nucleic acids in the form of aptamers are gaining increasing importance in research, diagnostics, and therapy. In the Mayer research group, interdisciplinary projects focus on developing DNA and RNA aptamers that selectively bind target molecules on and within cells. These aptamers are used, for instance, for optogenetic control of cellular RNA, detection of metabolites within the cell, or targeted transport of other molecules to the cell. Conventional in vitro selection methods (SELEX) are based on the binding of aptamers to target molecules but do not allow direct selection for the desired function of aptamers on or within cells. With the requested cell sorter, novel selection methods are being established that enable the sorting of functional aptamers to target structures, making the process more streamlined and expedited. Furthermore, the properties of existing aptamers are re-analyzed and optimized within the relevant cellular environment using the cell sorter. Sorting of functional aptamer candidates is based on one or more fluorescence signals. Depending on their subsequent use, the samples are collected in reaction tubes, microplate wells, or onto slides.