Prof. David A. Weitz works as a Hans Fischer Senior Fellow at TUM-IAS with the Bausch group to develop new methods to study the elastic properties of cells, through a combination of using reconstituted biomolecular networks of purified proteins and in situ measurements on cells. The goal is to develop improved understanding of the origin of the elastic properties of cells and the design principles used by Nature to control this.

Prof. Hendrik Dietz (Hans Fischer Tenure Track Fellow), is conducting research toward developing novel scientific devices and methods for applications in biomolecular physics, biological chemistry, and molecular medicine. A central focus of his newly established Laboratory for Biomolecular Nanotechnology is on investigating the physical details of intermolecular interactions, in particular protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. To overcome critical experimental challenges that one faces when studying low-affinity biomolecular interactions, the Dietz lab is working toward taking advantage of the fine positional control afforded by molecular-self assembly with DNA origami to build nanometer-scale scientific devices that will be used to interface and manipulate target macromolecules and that will enable conformational read-out with single-molecule fluorescence methods and/or with transmission electron microscopy.

The research project Prof. Robijn Bruinsma, Professor of Physics at the University of California (UCLA), is carrying out as a TUM-IAS Hans Fischer Senior Fellow is a study of the phase behavior and statistical mechanics of solutions of Actin Filaments with Linker Proteins. Solutions of this type encountered inside cells and are associated with the continuous assembly and disassembly of the cytoskeleton of a cell. By varying the concentration and nature of the linker molecules, spontaneous self-assembly produces bundles, three-dimensional and two-dimensional networks. We are studying the thermodynamic stability and mechanical properties of these structures, which resemble similar structures encountered inside cells. The project is a collaboration with the groups of Prof. Andreas Bausch (Physics, TUM) and Prof. Wolfgang Wall (Mechanical Engineering, TUM) who, respectively, carry out in-vitro experiments and numerical simulations of these systems.

Doctoral Candidates:
Thomas Gerling, Biomolecular Nanotechnology
Heinrich Grabmayr, Molecular & Cellular Biophysic