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Complex Fluids Theory

Compaction of Escherichia coli nucleoids by PEG induced osmotic pressure Biopolymers in cells are continually in thermal motion. Their interactions are often fairly well known though biologically contingent (i.e. sensitive to detail of biological importance). Our aim is to develop theories of biomacromolecular systems dealing with both these issues, often using argumentation based on statistical physics. We generally seek explanations involving "simple" concepts if at all possible. The approach is analytical, and numerical work, if employed, is secondary. Our general focus is on proteins and double-stranded DNA, both in vitro and in vivo. We distinguish the following themes:

  • the statics and dynamics of DNA packaging in phages
  • the compaction of supercoiled genomes in bacteria
  • transport through ion channels
  • interactions between proteins
  • physico-chemical aspects of gene expression (e.g. via H-NS proteins)
  • polymer depletion by proteins
  • other topics by the principal investigator, not always related to the above (turbulence and drag reduction, dynamics of concentrated stiff polymers, static electricity, historical work on famous theoreticians, etc)

The Complex Fluids Theory group participates in the Delft Centre for Life Science and Technology (programme 5). Within Delft University of Technology the group further collaborates with groups of the TNW-departments DelftChemTech (Physical Chemistry & Molecular Thermodynamics group: prof. M.-O. Coppens, dr. G.J.M. Koper), Materials Science and technology (Polymer Materials and Engineering group: prof.dr. S. Picken, dr. J.Groenewold) and Nanoscience (Molecular Biophysics group: dr. N.H. Dekker). Other academic partners are groups of Leiden University, Free University of Amsterdam, Wageningen University and Eindhoven University of Technology.

Keywords
complex fluids, statistical physics, hydrodynamics, protein crystals, supercoiling, nucleoid compaction, polymer physics, bacterial cells, viruses, bacteriophages, polymer depletion, crowding, drag reduction, DNA, turbulence, drag reduction, biophysics, nucleoids, proteins

Group leader
Prof.dr. T. Odijk

Contact Information
Theory of complex fluids
Prof.dr. T. Odijk
P.O. Box 11036
2301 EA Leiden
The Netherlands
Tel/Fax: +31 (0)71 5145346
Email: odijktcf@remove-this.wanadoo.nl
Web research group: www.bt.tudelft.nl/tcv

 

 

 

Naam auteur: bhese
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