Welcome to the Belluati Lab
We are a multidisciplinary research group based at the Technical University of Darmstadt, operating at the interface of Synthetic Biology, Macromolecular Chemistry, and Biomaterials. Led by Dr. Andrea Belluati, our lab is funded by the prestigious DFG Emmy Noether Programme.
Our Mission: Bridging the Gap Between Chemistry and Life
The Belluati Lab focuses on the design and engineering of artificial cells and hybrid symbiotic systems. We aim to create “living” materials that don’t just mimic biological functions but actively integrate with natural systems to achieve capabilities that neither could accomplish alone.
Our research is driven by three core pillars:
Artificial Symbiosis
Creating hybrid systems where artificial cells and living organisms coexist and cooperate, opening new frontiers in drug delivery and sustainable biotechnology.
Bottom-Up Synthetic Biology
Constructing artificial cells from basic molecular building blocks to understand the fundamental principles of life.
Engineered Living Materials (ELMs)
Developing next-generation materials that can sense, adapt, and respond to their environment.