Theory of Complex Bio-Systems
Prof. Ulrich Gerland
Research Field
In physics, interactions between particles follow laws. In biology, interactions between biomolecules serve a function. We study the physics of biological functions. In particular, we are interested in cases where the implementations of biological functions are constrained by physical principles. Methods from statistical physics help to describe the functioning of complex biomolecular systems on a coarse-grained, but quantitative level.
Members of the Research Group
Professor
Photo | Degree | Firstname | Lastname | Room | Phone | |
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Prof. Dr. | Ulrich | Gerland | PH: 3333 | +49 89 289-12394 |
Office
Photo | Degree | Firstname | Lastname | Room | Phone | |
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Daniela | Neufang | – | +49 89 289-12662 | ||
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Dipl.-Betriebsw. (FH) | Claudia | Öckler | – | +49 89 289 12662 |
Scientists
Photo | Degree | Firstname | Lastname | Room | Phone | |
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Dr. | Bernhard | Altaner | – | – | |
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M.Sc. | Mareike | Bojer | – | – | |
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M.Sc. | Julio Cesar | Espinoza Campos | – | – | |
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Dr. | Giovanni | Giunta | PH: 3331 | +49 89 289-12389 | |
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M.Sc. | Tobias | Göppel | PH: 3313 | +49 89 289-12385 | |
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M.Sc. | Zara Helen | Gough | – | – | |
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Dr. | Maryam | Khatami | – | – | |
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M.Sc. | Stephan | Kremser | PH: 3325 | +49 89 289-12388 | |
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Dr. | Cesar | Lopez Pastrana | – | – | |
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M.Sc. | Linda | Martini | PH: 3315 | – | |
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M.Sc. | Johannes | Raith | PH: 3313 | – | |
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M.Sc. | Joachim | Rosenberger | – | – | |
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Ph.D. | Seyed Hamid | Seyed Allaei | – | – | |
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M.Sc. | Manon Celia | Wigbers | – | +49 89 289-14337 | |
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Dr. | Michael | Wolff | PH: 3321 | +49 89 289-12722 |
Students
Photo | Degree | Firstname | Lastname | Room | Phone | |
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B.Sc. | Ludwig | Burger | – | – | |
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Rossana | Droghetti | – | – | ||
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B.Sc. | Matthias | Hanke | – | – | |
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Max Sina | Knicker | – | – | ||
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B.Sc. | Sabina | Orazov | – | – |
Other Staff
Photo | Degree | Firstname | Lastname | Room | Phone | |
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M.Sc. | Johannes | Harth-Kitzerow | – | – |
Teaching
Course with Participations of Group Members
Titel und Modulzuordnung | |||
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Art | SWS | Dozent(en) | Termine |
Theorie stochastischer Prozesse eLearning-Kurs Zuordnung zu Modulen: |
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VO | 4 | Gerland, U. |
Mo, 08:30–10:00, PH HS3 Mi, 12:00–14:00, PH HS3 |
Aktuelle Fragen der Theorie komplexer Biosysteme Zuordnung zu Modulen: |
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HS | 2 | Gerland, U. |
Mi, 10:00–12:00, PH 3343 |
Übung zu Theorie stochastischer Prozesse Zuordnung zu Modulen: |
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UE | 2 |
Leitung/Koordination: Gerland, U. |
Termine in Gruppen |
Biomolecular Systems
Zuordnung zu Modulen: |
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SE | 2 | Gerland, U. Simmel, F. Zacharias, M. |
Do, 12:00–13:30, PH 3343 |
Repetitorium zu Aktuelle Fragen der Theorie komplexer Biosysteme Zuordnung zu Modulen: |
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RE | 2 |
Leitung/Koordination: Gerland, U. |
Offers for Theses in the Group
- Growing shapes: Kinetics of integrating cell wall material into the envelope of a growing cell
The aim of this Master thesis is to explore different modes of cell wall growth, which is locally controlled by enzymes but has a global effect on the shape of the cell. Which schemes of enzymatic action permit stably growing cell shapes? And which ones can mimick the observed growth behavior of different bacterial species? These fundamental questions are surpisingly largely open, partially due to the difficulty of experimentally determining which local properties of the cell wall affect the enzymatic activity. In light of this experimental barrier, conceptual theoretical models can classify different plausible schemes by their large-scale behavior, which is more easily observed experimentally. This thesis will combine simulations of stochastic models for growing shapes with simple analytical toy models to address some of the open questions.
- suitable as
- Master’s Thesis Biophysics
- Master’s Thesis Theoretical and Mathematical Physics
- Supervisor: Ulrich Gerland
- Interplay of mechanics and information processing in cell tissues
A common theme in developmental biology and useful feature for synthetic systems is the coupling of patterning processes (cell differentiation) with mechanical processes and cell growth and death. Understanding the interplay of these different processes is crucial to be able to explain development, as well as to manipulate pattern formation processes in synthetic systems. In this thesis, a well-known model of tissue dynamics will be implemented and coupled to intercellular signaling dynamics in order to answer questions about the stability and robustness of the pattern creation process and the role of initial and boundary conditions. Of particular interest will be the study of feedbacks between the ‘mechanics’ and the ‘information processing’ in these systems.
- suitable as
- Master’s Thesis Biophysics
- Master’s Thesis Applied and Engineering Physics
- Master’s Thesis Theoretical and Mathematical Physics
- Supervisor: Ulrich Gerland
Current and Finished Theses in the Group
- Effects of histone depletion and remodeler knockout on nucleosome positioning in S. cerevisiae
- Abschlussarbeit im Masterstudiengang Physik (Biophysik)
- Themensteller(in): Ulrich Gerland
- Impact of Complex Spikes on the Integration of Parallel Fiber Input in Purkinje Cells
- Abschlussarbeit im Masterstudiengang Physik (Biophysik)
- Themensteller(in): Ulrich Gerland
- Long-Term Starvation Experiments of E. Coli in a Microfluidic Device
- Abschlussarbeit im Masterstudiengang Physik (Biophysik)
- Themensteller(in): Ulrich Gerland