biophysics

A postdoctoral position is available for a highly
motivated candidate to study the physical principles of cell motility in the
Biophysics Group of the Interfaces & Complex Fluids Lab at the University
of Mons in collaboration with the Bio- and Soft Matter Group of the Institute
of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences at the Université catholique de Louvain.

Themes covered include

• orthopaedic surgery
• dentistry
• biomechanics
• biomaterials
• cosmetic chemistry
• biophysics
• biomimetics

The topic of research must include a biological surface as part of the interface (eg articular cartilage, skin), have a direct impact on biological function (eg prosthetic joints, dental implants), or involve the implementation of natural lubrication in man-made systems (biomimetics).

We have studied the elastic response of actin networks with both compliant and rigid crosslinks by modeling molecular motors as force dipoles. Our finite element simulations show that for compliant crosslinkers such as filamin A, the network can be stiffened by two orders of magnitude while stiffening achieved with incompliant linkers such as scruin is significantly smaller, typically a factor of two, in excellent agreement with recent experiments.

ICoBT 2011 is a new conference which will be held at Imperial College London from 18-21 September 2011. Contributions are welcomed from scientists, engineers and clinicians working in the fields of orthopaedic surgery, dentistry, biomechanics, biomaterials, cosmetic chemistry, biophysics and biomimetics. Abstract submissions are now open!

How does the cell know when to produce a protein? Why does it produce this protein? How does it produce this protein so accurately, in transcription, timing, and concentration? It is amazing that the cell functions as precisely as it needs to in response to various stimuli. What is more amazing is that the cell's actions are a result of stochastic processes.

This is a model of a single semiflexible polymer chain under sustained tension. The model captures two key features of the cytoskeletal rheology: a) the power-law behavior; and b) the dependence of the power-law on mechanical prestress. The model also reveals the underlying mechanisms.