Hof Fluorescence Group
Our research environment is centered on the development and application of fluorescence spectroscopy, microscopy, and single-molecule techniques to investigate complex biological systems. Established by Martin Hof in 2000, the group has since evolved into a collaborative team of principal investigators, associated researchers, technician, and early-stage scientists.
Our activities span several interconnected research areas, all unified by a shared objective: to understand biologically relevant processes at the molecular level. As of June 2025, our primary fields of interest include:
- Membrane biophysics at the atomistic level
- Nanoscale membrane organization and its relationship to protein function
- Development and photophysical characterization of advanced fluorescence probes
- Structural and dynamic analysis of cellular nanostructures involved in human immune responses to pathogens
- Intracellular trafficking in the context of neurodegeneration, with a focus on lipid droplets and vesicular transport
- Innovative microscopy approaches, including Optical Near-Field Electron Microscopy (ONEM) in combination with Graphene-Induced Energy Transfer (GIET)