Department of Biophysics
Research
The Biophysics Department conducts interdisciplinary research at the interface of biomolecular function, physical chemistry and radiochemistry. The activities contribute to the Helmholtz Research Programmes Nuclear Safety and Cancer Research in the Helmholtz-Association. We are member of the Cluster of Excellence "Physics of Life" (PoL) in Dresden.
We are particularly interested in:
- structural and dynamic aspects of biomembranes
- conformational transitions in membrane proteins
- interactions between (radio)metals and biomolecules
- effects of metals and radionuclides on the metabolism of microorganisms (Televised MDR report)
Education
The Biophysics department participates in the Dresden International Graduate School for Biomedicine and Bioengineering (DIGS-BB) supported by the Excellence Initiative of the German federal and state governments.
Practicals on Molecular Spectroscopy and Calorimetry are offered. The following lectures are held at the technische Universität Dresden and are elgible for the Master Specialization "Soft Condensed Matter and Biological Physics":
- Biological Thermodynamics (English, summer semester)
- Biophysical Methods (German, winter semester)
Seminar lectures for the International BIOTEC-Master Programme,
- Vibrational Spectroscopy (English)
- Absorption and Fluorescence Spectroscopy (English)
Experimental Methods
- Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
- Circular dichroism
- Static and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy
- Calorimetry
- Mass-Spectroscopy
Spectroscopic data are evaluated in combination with Density Functional Theory to understand photochemoical and photophysical properties of organic complexes of actinides
Latest Publication
Cold denaturation of DNA origami nanostructures
Dornbusch, D.; Hanke, M.; Tomm, E.; Grundmeier, G.; Keller, A.; Fahmy, K.; Kielar, C.
Abstract
The coupling of structural transitions to heat capacity changes leads to destabilization of macromolecules at both, elevated and lowered temperatures. DNA origami not only exhibit this property but also provide a nanoscopic observable of cold denaturation processes by directing intramolecular strain to the most sensitive elements within their hierarchical architecture.
Keywords: protein unfolding; heat capacity; biopolymers; temperature dependence; self assembly; thermal stability
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Chemical Communications 60(2024), 5590-5593
DOI: 10.1039/D3CC05985E
Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-37593
Team
Head | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Prof. Dr. Karim Fahmy | 801/P301 | 2952 3601 | k.fahmyhzdr.de | ||
Employees | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
Jenny Philipp | 801/P303 | 3247 3568 | j.philipphzdr.de | ||
Prof. Dr. Satoru Tsushima | 801/P302 | 2978 | s.tsushimahzdr.de | ||
Other employees | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
Dr. Charlotte Kielar | 801/P303 | 3247 3892 | c.kielarhzdr.de |
Physical Chemistry of Biomolecular Condensates
Head | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dr. Ellen Adams | 801/P301 | 2911 | e.adamshzdr.de | ||
Employees | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
Artur Czajkowski | 801/P303 | 3375 | a.czajkowskihzdr.de | ||
Likhitha Chakra Priya Pulibandla | 801/P303 | 3375 | l.pulibandlahzdr.de | ||
Manthan Raj | 801/P303 | 3375 | m.rajhzdr.de | ||
Dr. Quang-Minh Thai | 613/163 | 3239 | q.thaihzdr.de | ||
Juliane Tippmann | j.tippmannhzdr.de | ||||
Abhirami Udayabanu | a.udayabanuhzdr.de |