PhD Opportunities in Biological Materials, Bioinspiration & Biomechanics Laboratory
University of South Florida---BMBB Laboratory
Two Funded Positions Starting Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Fall 2026
We present theoretical and experimental descriptions of the elasticity of cylindrical micellar filaments using micro-mechanical and continuum theories, and Atomic Force Microscopy. Following our micro-mechanical elasticity model for micellar filaments [Asgari, Eur. Phys. J. E 2015, 38(9)], the elastic bending energy of hemispherical end caps is found. The continuum description of the elastic bending energy of a cylindrical micellar filament is also derived using constrained Cosserat rod theory.
Tropocollagen types I and III were simultaneously fibrilized in vitro, and the differences between the geometric and mechanical properties of the heterotypic fibrils with different mixing ratios of tropocollagen III to I were investigated. Transmission electron microscopy was used to confirm the simultaneous presence of both tropocollagen types within the heterotypic fibrils. The incorporation of collagen III in I caused the fibrils to be thinner with a shorter D-banding than pure collagen I.
Self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules into various supramolecular nano-structural aggregates has drawn the attention of chemists, physicists, and engineers in recent decades.
A model for the free energy of the edge of an open lipid bilayer is derived.
The derivation is based on the interactions of the molecules comprising the edge.
The derived model can be employed to study pore growth in open lipid bilayers.
The model captures bending and torsional energies of the edge, in addition to the line tension.
The molecular origins of spontaneous curvatures and elastic moduli are investigated.
