Biophysics

Theory: Physical and engineering principles involved in the assembly of actin proteins into filaments and larger scale structures. Statistical mechanics and soft matter physics applied to actin protein assemblies and the emergent collective properties Equilibrium and nonequilibrium properties of protein phase transitions. (Vavylonis, Gunton)
Experiment: Application of optical imaging, trapping, and manipulation for cell mechanics studies (Ou-Yang). Use of nanomaterials for optical imaging of cells; carbon nanotube nanotoxicity. (Rotkin) A combination of fluorescence microscopy, lipid physical chemistry, and fluid mechanics is used to investigate the mechanical principles underlying the response of living cells to fluid flow (Honerkamp-Smith).