Methods and technologies for cell analysis are a cornerstone in research and healthcare, facilitating researchers in answering questions about the origins and progression of disease, and helping clinicians to set a correct diagnosis. Over the last two decades we have mainly focused on the development of methods; such as in situ PLA, ProxHCR and MolBoolean; to provide the ability to monitor protein-protein interactions and post-translational modifications in fixed cells and tissues, which is essential for the studies and understanding of cellular signaling.
These methods use DNA as a reporter molecule and are based on natural occurring enzymes. Our current research explores the possibility to go beyond the boundaries of what nature can provide, to design enzymes that cannot be made through evolution. We have recently engineered a DNA-polymerase that isn´t compatible with life, that provides unique opportunities for development of novel methods for medical research.