Molecular Engineering & Synthetic Biology

Molecular Engineering and Synthetic Biology represent a cutting-edge research area at the intersection of biology, engineering, and computational science. This discipline focuses on designing and constructing new biological systems and reprogramming existing ones to perform novel functions. Researchers at EPFL are developing synthetic genetic circuits, programmable cells, and biomolecular tools with applications in medicine, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability. By combining precise molecular design with advanced engineering principles, EPFL is shaping the future of synthetic biology to address global challenges and unlock new biotechnological possibilities.

Key research themes

Professor with specific keywords

AUWERX Johan
Mitochondrial biology, metabolic engineering, epigenetics, systems biology
BARTH Patrick
GPCR modeling, membrane proteins, structural bioengineering, computational biology
BASTINGS Maartje
DNA nanotechnology, molecular self-assembly, therapeutic delivery systems
BITBOL Anne-Florence
Statistical physics of biology, protein evolution, computational modeling
BRBIĆ Maria
Cell atlas, spatial transcriptomics, single-cell technologies, machine learning
CORREIA Bruno
Protein design, immunoengineering, computational protein modeling
DAL PERARO Matteo
Structural modeling, membrane protein dynamics, integrative modeling
DEPLANCKE Bart
Regulatory genomics, chromatin architecture, systems genetics
GUIDUCCI Carlotta
BioMEMS, synthetic circuits, diagnostic devices, lab-on-chip
HATZIMANIKATIS Vassily
Metabolic modeling, synthetic metabolism, computational design of pathways
MAERKL Sebastian
Microfluidics, synthetic circuits, gene regulatory networks
NAEF Félix
Circadian biology, gene regulation modeling, stochastic gene expression
PERSAT Alexandre
Bacterial mechanics, microfluidic platforms, host-pathogen interactions
RADENOVIC Aleksandra
Single-molecule biophysics, nanopores, biosensing, 2D materials for biology
RAHI Sahand
Theoretical biology, quantitative genetics, biostatistics
SCHOONJANS Kristina
Nuclear receptors, gene regulation, metabolic networks
SCHUHMACHER Milena
Biomedical engineering, organ-on-chip, drug response modeling
TANG Li
Immunoengineering, T-cell therapy, synthetic receptors, engineered immunity