[This is the old program from SS 2008. The current program and contact information can be found here.]

18 April 2008, 16:00

Alessandro Torcini (Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi, CNR, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy)
Stability of the splay state in pulse-coupled networks [Abstract] 

09 May 2008, 16:00

Andreas Bausch (Biophysik (E22), Technische Universität München)
Physics of complex actin networks: from molecules to networks  

Abstract:
The cytoskeleton, a dynamic network of semiflexible actin filaments and associated regulatory proteins, is responsible for the extraordinary viscoelastic properties of cells. Nature specifically chooses from a myriad of actin binding proteins (ABPs) to tailor the cytoskeletal microstructure as well as the mechanical properties of cells to suit their particular biological function. Herein, cells rely on the dynamics of the cytoskeleton as its structural and mechanical adaptability is crucial to allow for dynamic processes like motility. A molecular understanding of such biological complexity calls for an in vitro system with well-defined structural rearrangements and cross-linker dynamics to elucidate the physical origin of the unique viscoelastic properties of living cells. In order to understand the underlying physical principles it is important to determine in vitro the mechanical properties of entangled, cross linked and active actin networks on a microscopic scale. Here we address the important aspects of structural phase transitions and rheological properties of bundled and isotropically and homogenously crosslinked actin networks. The binding kinetics of the transient crosslinkers determines the frequency response of such networks - being an important prerequisite for the ongoing remodeling of the cytoskeleton in living cells and at the same time might be the molecular mechanism employed by cells for mechanosensing.

30 May 2008, 16:00

Otto E. Rössler (Institut für Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie, Universität Tübingen)
New statistical mechanics - Clausisus and Chandrasekhar [Abstract] 

06 June 2008, 16:00

Hiroya Nakao (Abteilung Physikalische Chemie, Fritz-Haber-Institut, Berlin)
Diffusion-induced instabilities on random networks [Abstract]