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.

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

Team

Foto: Gruppenbild der Abteilung

Group image of the "Biophysics" department

Head

NameBld./Office+49 351 260Email
Prof. Dr. Karim Fahmy801/P3012952
3601
k.fahmyAthzdr.de

Employees

NameBld./Office+49 351 260Email
Jenny Philipp801/P3033247
3568
j.philippAthzdr.de
Prof. Dr. Satoru Tsushima801/P3022978
s.tsushimaAthzdr.de

Other employees

NameBld./Office+49 351 260Email
Dr. Charlotte Kielar801/P3033247
3892
c.kielarAthzdr.de

Physical Chemistry of Biomolecular Condensates

Head

NameBld./Office+49 351 260Email
Dr. Ellen Adams801/P3012911
e.adamsAthzdr.de

Employees

NameBld./Office+49 351 260Email
Artur Czajkowski801/P3033375
a.czajkowskiAthzdr.de
Likhitha Chakra Priya Pulibandla801/P3033375
l.pulibandlaAthzdr.de
Juliane Tippmannj.tippmannAthzdr.de