[This is the old program from SS 2007. The current program and contact information can be found here.]

04 May 2007, 16:00

Igor A. Goychuk (Lehrstuhl für Theoretische Physik I, Universität Augsburg)
Signaling with Poisson-like processes: Theory and applications [Abstract] 

11 May 2007, 16:00

Michael Bestehorn (Lehrstuhl Theoretische Physik II, BTU Cottbus)
Pattern formation in fluid layers with a free upper surface
– The influence of evaporation – [Abstract] 

25 May 2007, 16:00

Niels Wessel (Arbeitsgruppe Nichtlineare Dynamik, Universität Potsdam)
Methods of cardiovascular physics and their clinical applicability [Abstract] 

08 June 2007, 16:00

Karin John (Laboratoire de Spectrométrie Physique UJF, Grenoble, France)
A nonlinear study of symmetry-breaking in actin gels – Implications for cellular motility  

Abstract:
Force generation by actin polymerization is an important step in cellular motility and can induce the motion of organelles or bacteria, which move inside their host cells by trailing an actin tail behind. Biomimetic experiments on beads and droplets have identified the biochemical ingredients to induce this motion, which requires a spontaneous symmetry breaking in the absence of external fields. We find that symmetry-breaking can be captured on the basis of elasticity theory and linear flux-force relationships. Furthermore, we develop a phase-field approach to study the fully nonlinear regime and show that actin-comet formation is a robust feature, triggered by growth and mechanical stresses. We discuss the symmetry breaking implications for self-propulsion.

15 June 2007, 16:00

Vladimir Vanag (Brandeis University, Waltham, USA)
Localized patterns in the BZ-AOT system [Abstract] 

22 June 2006, 16:00

Holger Stark (Institut für Theoretische Physik, Technische Universität Berlin)
Driven systems in non-equilibrium in soft matter and biology [Abstract]