Research

Our aim is to understand collective phenomena in living cells and tissues. To this end we use methods and concepts from theoretical physics and nonlinear dynamics to study specific systems preferentially in collaboration with experimental colleagues. From the point of view of physics, a major challenge lies in treating systems out of thermodynamic equilibrium that play a role in the context of vital biological processes and have an evolutionary history. The description and analysis of these different aspects requires the development of new tools and approaches.

Most of our projects aim at understanding active matter coupled to biochemical reaction networks and also include elements of molecular evolution. In particular, we are currently studying the dynamics of microtubules and the cellular actin cortex as well as developing tissues.