AVAILABLE BACHELOR / MASTER PROJECTS
BA/MA Topics
1) Developing time-resolved EPR methods.
2) Developing EPR methods for metal ions.
3) Following conformational changes in biomacromolecular complexes.
4) Synthesizing new spin labels for oligonucleotides and proteins.
5) Synthesizing coupled trityls for quantum information science and DNP.
BACHELOR / MASTER PROJECTS:
Microsecond Freeze-Hyperquenching (Bachelor / Master; T. Hett, J. Wort)
Recently, we have shown that Microsecond Freeze-Hyperquenching (MHQ) coupled with Pulsed Electron-Electron Double Resonance (PELDOR) spectroscopy allows resolving conformational changes in biomolecules over space and time (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 6981). In this project, we will optimize the MHQ device and aim to apply it to CRISPR/Cas13a.
Synthesis and characterization of a trityl-based qubit systems (Bachelor/Master)
Using electron spins for quantum computation needs the selective addressability of the spins. In this project, a trityl biradical is to be synthesized where one of the trityl’s central carbon atoms is isotopically enriched with 13C in order to achieve spectroscopic differentiation of the radicals.
Synthesis of strongly coupled trityl biradical systems (Bachelor/Master)
In order to investigate new potential mechanisms for dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), tailor-made molecules with distinct properties are needed. Therefore, this project aims to synthesize a plethora of highly conjugated trityl biradicals and investigate their dipolar and exchange coupling via electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments.
Synthesis of the 13C labelled SLIM label for PELDOR based distance measurements on proteins (Bachelor/Master)
This project aims to synthesize a 13C enriched version of the SLIM spin label. The isotopic labelling of the SLIM and accompanying hyperfine-coupling is meant to lead to an increased linewidth, which allows the application of PELDOR experiments with this label and direct comparison to already established DQC experiments.
Synthesis of manganese dimers based on terpyridine linkers for DNP experiments (Bachelor)
This project aims to synthesize a series of different Mn dimers based on terpyridine linkers for dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) applications. Furthermore, the obtained complexes will be characterized via EPR-spectroscopy.
Sensitivity of W-band RIDME measurements (Master; D. Abdullin)
RIDME is an EPR technique for measuring nanometer distances. In this thesis, X-, Q-, and W-band RIDME measurements will be performed on a low-spin Fe(III) center in a model system and a metalloprotein. The sensitivity of the RIDME measurements will be evaluated and compared.