Michelle Frei
@michellefrei17.bsky.social
Chemical biologist working on tools for fluorescence microscopy | Assistant Professor ETH DCHAB | Postdoc UCSDPharm | PhD MPI-MR and EPFL
🚨How do we implement synthetic fluorophores into biosensors? Have a look at Elias Dressler’s review article in Chimia. The issue highlights the work of Young Professors and Ambizione Fellows in Switzerland. Glad to be part of this vibrant community. ⚗️ www.chimia.ch/chimia/artic...
November 27, 2025 at 1:01 PM
🚨How do we implement synthetic fluorophores into biosensors? Have a look at Elias Dressler’s review article in Chimia. The issue highlights the work of Young Professors and Ambizione Fellows in Switzerland. Glad to be part of this vibrant community. ⚗️ www.chimia.ch/chimia/artic...
Reposted by Michelle Frei
A new Review by Agnese Nicoli and Michelle Frei examines the progress in developing synthetic small-molecule fluorophores and how these in combination with innovative labeling strategies can advance chemical biology
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Synthetic fluorophores for live-cell fluorescence microscopy and biosensing - Nature Chemical Biology
Performing live-cell microscopy experiments with high spatial and temporal resolution requires fluorophores with highly optimized properties. This Review examines the progress in developing synthetic ...
www.nature.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:26 PM
A new Review by Agnese Nicoli and Michelle Frei examines the progress in developing synthetic small-molecule fluorophores and how these in combination with innovative labeling strategies can advance chemical biology
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🚨Curious how synthetic fluorophores simplify microscopy? Our review covers applications such as super-resolution microscopy and biosensing. 🎉👩🔬Congrats to my first PhD student, Agnese Nicoli, for the fearless deep dive! 🔬 ⚗️
D-CHAB @ethz.ch
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
D-CHAB @ethz.ch
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Synthetic fluorophores for live-cell fluorescence microscopy and biosensing - Nature Chemical Biology
Performing live-cell microscopy experiments with high spatial and temporal resolution requires fluorophores with highly optimized properties. This Review examines the progress in developing synthetic ...
www.nature.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:29 PM
🚨Curious how synthetic fluorophores simplify microscopy? Our review covers applications such as super-resolution microscopy and biosensing. 🎉👩🔬Congrats to my first PhD student, Agnese Nicoli, for the fearless deep dive! 🔬 ⚗️
D-CHAB @ethz.ch
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
D-CHAB @ethz.ch
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Michelle Frei
🚨Our paper is out! 🥳
Hijacking a bacterial ABC transporter for efficient genetic code expansion.
Many congrats to everyone involved - a multi-year effort led by @taruniype.bsky.social @maxfottner.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
it all started years ago with a failed experiment
🧵👇 1/9
Hijacking a bacterial ABC transporter for efficient genetic code expansion.
Many congrats to everyone involved - a multi-year effort led by @taruniype.bsky.social @maxfottner.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
it all started years ago with a failed experiment
🧵👇 1/9
Hijacking a bacterial ABC transporter for genetic code expansion - Nature
Bacterial ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters can be utilized and engineered to transport non-canonical amino acids into Escherichia coli for highly efficient synthesis of proteins with novel func...
www.nature.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:06 PM
🚨Our paper is out! 🥳
Hijacking a bacterial ABC transporter for efficient genetic code expansion.
Many congrats to everyone involved - a multi-year effort led by @taruniype.bsky.social @maxfottner.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
it all started years ago with a failed experiment
🧵👇 1/9
Hijacking a bacterial ABC transporter for efficient genetic code expansion.
Many congrats to everyone involved - a multi-year effort led by @taruniype.bsky.social @maxfottner.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
it all started years ago with a failed experiment
🧵👇 1/9
Reposted by Michelle Frei
#Mifobio2025
Focus on the module 1 :
👉 "Marking strategies at different scales of life"
We are delighted to welcome @michellefrei17.bsky.social
@ethz.ch
Lecture : "Chemigenetic kinase biosensors for multiplexed activity sensing and super-resolution imaging"
👉 imabio-cnrs.fr/mifobio-2025/
Focus on the module 1 :
👉 "Marking strategies at different scales of life"
We are delighted to welcome @michellefrei17.bsky.social
@ethz.ch
Lecture : "Chemigenetic kinase biosensors for multiplexed activity sensing and super-resolution imaging"
👉 imabio-cnrs.fr/mifobio-2025/
October 3, 2025 at 11:35 PM
#Mifobio2025
Focus on the module 1 :
👉 "Marking strategies at different scales of life"
We are delighted to welcome @michellefrei17.bsky.social
@ethz.ch
Lecture : "Chemigenetic kinase biosensors for multiplexed activity sensing and super-resolution imaging"
👉 imabio-cnrs.fr/mifobio-2025/
Focus on the module 1 :
👉 "Marking strategies at different scales of life"
We are delighted to welcome @michellefrei17.bsky.social
@ethz.ch
Lecture : "Chemigenetic kinase biosensors for multiplexed activity sensing and super-resolution imaging"
👉 imabio-cnrs.fr/mifobio-2025/
Reposted by Michelle Frei
The 5th Virtual @chembiotalks.bsky.social on September 30th are one week away. We have an exciting program including our keynotes Sarah O'Connor (@oconnorlab.bsky.social) and @craigmcrews.bsky.social.
Make sure to register for free: web.cvent.com/event/...
#ChemSky #ChemBio
Make sure to register for free: web.cvent.com/event/...
#ChemSky #ChemBio
September 23, 2025 at 9:51 AM
The 5th Virtual @chembiotalks.bsky.social on September 30th are one week away. We have an exciting program including our keynotes Sarah O'Connor (@oconnorlab.bsky.social) and @craigmcrews.bsky.social.
Make sure to register for free: web.cvent.com/event/...
#ChemSky #ChemBio
Make sure to register for free: web.cvent.com/event/...
#ChemSky #ChemBio
Reposted by Michelle Frei
This is a really, really important story, which is why I provided a gift link. Many people, when they think of higher education, think of elite universities. But most higher education is nonselective (i.e., they admit everyone), and a lot of it is community colleges.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/m...
August 4, 2025 at 2:01 PM
This is a really, really important story, which is why I provided a gift link. Many people, when they think of higher education, think of elite universities. But most higher education is nonselective (i.e., they admit everyone), and a lot of it is community colleges.
Reposted by Michelle Frei
🚨 2 × PhD positions @EPFL! 🚨
Help us push the boundaries of fluorescence microscopy - DNA nanotech, custom optics & spatial omics in Lausanne 🇨🇭. Start Jan 2026. Send CV + motivation + 2 refs → fschueder@ethz.ch
#PhD #Hiring #microscopy #SuperResolution #SpatialOmics #DNAPAINT #FLASHPAINT
Help us push the boundaries of fluorescence microscopy - DNA nanotech, custom optics & spatial omics in Lausanne 🇨🇭. Start Jan 2026. Send CV + motivation + 2 refs → fschueder@ethz.ch
#PhD #Hiring #microscopy #SuperResolution #SpatialOmics #DNAPAINT #FLASHPAINT
July 31, 2025 at 8:56 AM
🚨 2 × PhD positions @EPFL! 🚨
Help us push the boundaries of fluorescence microscopy - DNA nanotech, custom optics & spatial omics in Lausanne 🇨🇭. Start Jan 2026. Send CV + motivation + 2 refs → fschueder@ethz.ch
#PhD #Hiring #microscopy #SuperResolution #SpatialOmics #DNAPAINT #FLASHPAINT
Help us push the boundaries of fluorescence microscopy - DNA nanotech, custom optics & spatial omics in Lausanne 🇨🇭. Start Jan 2026. Send CV + motivation + 2 refs → fschueder@ethz.ch
#PhD #Hiring #microscopy #SuperResolution #SpatialOmics #DNAPAINT #FLASHPAINT
Reposted by Michelle Frei
💥 We have 3 positions open in my lab in Basel, Switzerland🇨🇭:
#nanopores #smFRET #biomolecular #dynamics #singleMolecules
We’re looking for talented & ambitious new colleagues enthusiastic about biomolecular dynamics & single-molecule tech.
Please share broadly, thank you!🤝
schmid.chemie.unibas.ch
#nanopores #smFRET #biomolecular #dynamics #singleMolecules
We’re looking for talented & ambitious new colleagues enthusiastic about biomolecular dynamics & single-molecule tech.
Please share broadly, thank you!🤝
schmid.chemie.unibas.ch
Home | Research Group Schmid | University of Basel
schmid.chemie.unibas.ch
July 31, 2025 at 2:34 PM
💥 We have 3 positions open in my lab in Basel, Switzerland🇨🇭:
#nanopores #smFRET #biomolecular #dynamics #singleMolecules
We’re looking for talented & ambitious new colleagues enthusiastic about biomolecular dynamics & single-molecule tech.
Please share broadly, thank you!🤝
schmid.chemie.unibas.ch
#nanopores #smFRET #biomolecular #dynamics #singleMolecules
We’re looking for talented & ambitious new colleagues enthusiastic about biomolecular dynamics & single-molecule tech.
Please share broadly, thank you!🤝
schmid.chemie.unibas.ch
Reposted by Michelle Frei
We have multiple PhD and Postdoc positions open in my new group at Masaryk University. Are you an excellent and motivated candidate interested in organic and peptide synthesis and chemical biology? Get in touch! Start in January 2026. www.fialalab.com
Appreciate sharing!
Appreciate sharing!
July 21, 2025 at 3:37 PM
We have multiple PhD and Postdoc positions open in my new group at Masaryk University. Are you an excellent and motivated candidate interested in organic and peptide synthesis and chemical biology? Get in touch! Start in January 2026. www.fialalab.com
Appreciate sharing!
Appreciate sharing!
Reposted by Michelle Frei
Teaching an old bacterial protein new tricks: Fast, bright and reversible rhodamine tags for live-cell imaging:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Congratulations to Julian Kompa and the entire team.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Congratulations to Julian Kompa and the entire team.
Fast, Bright and Reversible Rhodamine Tags for Live-Cell Imaging
We present Rho-tag and SiR-tag, engineered protein tags derived from bacterial multidrug-resistance proteins that bind unsubstituted (silicon-) rhodamines with nanomolar affinity, enabling fast, rever...
www.biorxiv.org
July 9, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Teaching an old bacterial protein new tricks: Fast, bright and reversible rhodamine tags for live-cell imaging:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Congratulations to Julian Kompa and the entire team.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Congratulations to Julian Kompa and the entire team.
Reposted by Michelle Frei
📣Paper alert! Interested in faster and brighter protein labeling than before? 👀 @steffi-k.bsky.social & other colleagues have developed an improved tool for labeling proteins with synthetic fluorophores for bioimaging. Also works in STED microscopy 🤩🔬 Congratulations!🥳
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
SNAP-tag2 for faster and brighter protein labeling - Nature Chemical Biology
SNAP-tag is a widespread tool for labeling protein for bioimaging. Now, Kühn et al. report SNAP-tag2 with increased labeling kinetics and brightness, which translates into a better performance in live...
www.nature.com
July 3, 2025 at 12:09 PM
📣Paper alert! Interested in faster and brighter protein labeling than before? 👀 @steffi-k.bsky.social & other colleagues have developed an improved tool for labeling proteins with synthetic fluorophores for bioimaging. Also works in STED microscopy 🤩🔬 Congratulations!🥳
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Michelle Frei
We are hiring! Check out our open PhD position for an exciting industry collaboration with Novo Nordisk:
jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOP...
jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOP...
PhD Position in Peptide-Based Drug Discovery (Industry Collaboration, w/m/d)
jobs.ethz.ch
June 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
We are hiring! Check out our open PhD position for an exciting industry collaboration with Novo Nordisk:
jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOP...
jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOP...
Reposted by Michelle Frei
🔥 We've already received over a third of pre-registrations!
#Mifobio2025 is already shaping up to be a highly attractive event...
Don't delay in pre-registering!
👉 imabio-cnrs.fr
@cnrs.fr @cnrsbiologie.bsky.social @cnrsingenierie.bsky.social @cnrs-inist.bsky.social
#Mifobio2025 is already shaping up to be a highly attractive event...
Don't delay in pre-registering!
👉 imabio-cnrs.fr
@cnrs.fr @cnrsbiologie.bsky.social @cnrsingenierie.bsky.social @cnrs-inist.bsky.social
May 19, 2025 at 8:10 AM
🔥 We've already received over a third of pre-registrations!
#Mifobio2025 is already shaping up to be a highly attractive event...
Don't delay in pre-registering!
👉 imabio-cnrs.fr
@cnrs.fr @cnrsbiologie.bsky.social @cnrsingenierie.bsky.social @cnrs-inist.bsky.social
#Mifobio2025 is already shaping up to be a highly attractive event...
Don't delay in pre-registering!
👉 imabio-cnrs.fr
@cnrs.fr @cnrsbiologie.bsky.social @cnrsingenierie.bsky.social @cnrs-inist.bsky.social
Want to be part of the 5th Virtual ChemBio Talks? Submit you abstract until 📅 June 30th. Two amazing keynote speakers @oconnorlab.bsky.social and @craigmcrews.bsky.social are already confirmed. More coming soon. Stay tuned! ⚗️👩🔬🦠🧑🔬
Do you want to present your #ChemBio research to a global audience at the 5th Virtual ChemBio Talks?
If you are a #PhD or #postdoc, here is your chance! Apply for a Flash Talk via our abstract challenge. Deadline is June 30th.
#ChemSky
chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/...
If you are a #PhD or #postdoc, here is your chance! Apply for a Flash Talk via our abstract challenge. Deadline is June 30th.
#ChemSky
chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/...
May 1, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Want to be part of the 5th Virtual ChemBio Talks? Submit you abstract until 📅 June 30th. Two amazing keynote speakers @oconnorlab.bsky.social and @craigmcrews.bsky.social are already confirmed. More coming soon. Stay tuned! ⚗️👩🔬🦠🧑🔬
Happy to see my Postdoc work out @natbiotech.nature.com. Using HaloTag and synthetic fluorophores instead of FPs enables us to shift the spectral properties of kinase activity reporters (KARs) to the far-red 🔬. Huge thanks to everyone involved @jinzhanglab.bsky.social!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Far-red chemigenetic kinase biosensors enable multiplexed and super-resolved imaging of signaling networks - Nature Biotechnology
Far-red kinase biosensors are applied to image kinase signaling networks at super resolution.
www.nature.com
April 21, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Happy to see my Postdoc work out @natbiotech.nature.com. Using HaloTag and synthetic fluorophores instead of FPs enables us to shift the spectral properties of kinase activity reporters (KARs) to the far-red 🔬. Huge thanks to everyone involved @jinzhanglab.bsky.social!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
My lab at @ethzurich.bsky.social is looking for a motivated PhD student. We develop chemical tools for advanced fluorescence microscopy 🔬 and work at the interface of synthetic chemistry ⚗️ and protein engineering 🦠. Sharing with skilled Master students appreciated. More info at tinyurl.com/2dbjk5ty
April 8, 2025 at 8:06 AM
My lab at @ethzurich.bsky.social is looking for a motivated PhD student. We develop chemical tools for advanced fluorescence microscopy 🔬 and work at the interface of synthetic chemistry ⚗️ and protein engineering 🦠. Sharing with skilled Master students appreciated. More info at tinyurl.com/2dbjk5ty
Reposted by Michelle Frei
We are happy to announce the new team that will organize the Virtual ChemBioTalks from this edition onwards
Marina Rubini
@mlakemeyer.bsky.social
@michellefrei17.bsky.social
Hana Macíčková Cahová
@drglycoben.bsky.social
@borisvauzeilles.bsky.social
@stephanhacker2.bsky.social
(1/4)
#ChemBio #ChemSky
Marina Rubini
@mlakemeyer.bsky.social
@michellefrei17.bsky.social
Hana Macíčková Cahová
@drglycoben.bsky.social
@borisvauzeilles.bsky.social
@stephanhacker2.bsky.social
(1/4)
#ChemBio #ChemSky
April 2, 2025 at 2:01 PM
We are happy to announce the new team that will organize the Virtual ChemBioTalks from this edition onwards
Marina Rubini
@mlakemeyer.bsky.social
@michellefrei17.bsky.social
Hana Macíčková Cahová
@drglycoben.bsky.social
@borisvauzeilles.bsky.social
@stephanhacker2.bsky.social
(1/4)
#ChemBio #ChemSky
Marina Rubini
@mlakemeyer.bsky.social
@michellefrei17.bsky.social
Hana Macíčková Cahová
@drglycoben.bsky.social
@borisvauzeilles.bsky.social
@stephanhacker2.bsky.social
(1/4)
#ChemBio #ChemSky
Reposted by Michelle Frei
🚨 PhD Opportunity!
Passionate about enzyme engineering or genetic code expansion? 🧬 Our lab is hiring a PhD student!
🔬 Exciting interdisciplinary research
🤝 Engaging environment 🌱
📄 Does this sound like you, apply now! ⏳🔗
📢 Know someone? Share this! 🔄
jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancie...
Passionate about enzyme engineering or genetic code expansion? 🧬 Our lab is hiring a PhD student!
🔬 Exciting interdisciplinary research
🤝 Engaging environment 🌱
📄 Does this sound like you, apply now! ⏳🔗
📢 Know someone? Share this! 🔄
jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancie...
March 17, 2025 at 10:41 AM
🚨 PhD Opportunity!
Passionate about enzyme engineering or genetic code expansion? 🧬 Our lab is hiring a PhD student!
🔬 Exciting interdisciplinary research
🤝 Engaging environment 🌱
📄 Does this sound like you, apply now! ⏳🔗
📢 Know someone? Share this! 🔄
jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancie...
Passionate about enzyme engineering or genetic code expansion? 🧬 Our lab is hiring a PhD student!
🔬 Exciting interdisciplinary research
🤝 Engaging environment 🌱
📄 Does this sound like you, apply now! ⏳🔗
📢 Know someone? Share this! 🔄
jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancie...
The Frei Research Group is growing! Excited to see how the projects of Mario, Agnese, and Elias will develop in the next months and years. Also grateful for the amazing admin support by Karin. ⚗️🔬👩🔬👨🔬
February 12, 2025 at 10:21 AM
The Frei Research Group is growing! Excited to see how the projects of Mario, Agnese, and Elias will develop in the next months and years. Also grateful for the amazing admin support by Karin. ⚗️🔬👩🔬👨🔬
Reposted by Michelle Frei
Our lab has an open PhD student position in Protein Engineering - Neurotechnology. Apply if interested!
February 10, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Our lab has an open PhD student position in Protein Engineering - Neurotechnology. Apply if interested!
Reposted by Michelle Frei
Check out our new fluorescent probe for imaging f-actin dynamics: 𝗦𝗶𝗥-𝗫𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻: 𝗔 𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Thank you @veselin-nasufovic.bsky.social
Thank you @veselin-nasufovic.bsky.social
SiR-XActin: A fluorescent probe for imaging actin dynamics in live cells
Imaging actin-dependent processes in live cells is important for understanding numerous biological processes. However, currently used natural-product based fluorescent probes for actin filaments affec...
www.biorxiv.org
February 7, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Check out our new fluorescent probe for imaging f-actin dynamics: 𝗦𝗶𝗥-𝗫𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻: 𝗔 𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Thank you @veselin-nasufovic.bsky.social
Thank you @veselin-nasufovic.bsky.social
Reposted by Michelle Frei
Hello Bluesky! We're a UC San Diego-based lab that studies cellular signaling, and makes genetically encoded biosensors to study those signals. Talk to us about kinases, fluorescent proteins, GPCRs, and imaging technology!
January 24, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Hello Bluesky! We're a UC San Diego-based lab that studies cellular signaling, and makes genetically encoded biosensors to study those signals. Talk to us about kinases, fluorescent proteins, GPCRs, and imaging technology!
Reposted by Michelle Frei
We made a photoswitchable HaloTag (psHaloTag), which can reversibly turn-on fluorogenic dyes upon illumination 💡. Congrats to Franzi, Bego and all co-authors, check out our preprint below 👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
January 7, 2025 at 8:45 AM
We made a photoswitchable HaloTag (psHaloTag), which can reversibly turn-on fluorogenic dyes upon illumination 💡. Congrats to Franzi, Bego and all co-authors, check out our preprint below 👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Michelle Frei
And what better introduction than to share a new publication? Check out this review article I’ve been working on (along with my co-first authors) if you need a biosensor or want a comprehensive overview of the field. Now out as an ASAP article at Chemical Reviews! doi.org/10.1021/acs....
Molecular Spies in Action: Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Biosensors Light up Cellular Signals
Cellular function is controlled through intricate networks of signals, which lead to the myriad pathways governing cell fate. Fluorescent biosensors have enabled the study of these signaling pathways ...
doi.org
November 14, 2024 at 11:56 PM
And what better introduction than to share a new publication? Check out this review article I’ve been working on (along with my co-first authors) if you need a biosensor or want a comprehensive overview of the field. Now out as an ASAP article at Chemical Reviews! doi.org/10.1021/acs....