Research
We study how physical principles shape life, from collective DNA–protein interactions to mesoscale processes within cells and up to the tissue scale.
Please see below for a summary of our projects investigating active matter descriptions of actomyosin as well as the organization of the cell nucleus.
What mechanisms drive morphogenesis?
We explore how asymmetries arise during development through the mechanical activity of cytoskeletal components. We focus on the actomyosin cortical layer, and combine active matter theory with experiments to uncover the physical mechanisms by which generation of active tension and chiral active torque guide symmetry breaking and body axis establishment in the early C. elegans embryo. In the past we have investigated mechanisms of guided mechano-chemical self-organization in the context of cell polarity establishment in the C. elegans zygote. A current focus is the physical basis of chiral morphogenesis and the establishment of the left-right body axis via active torque generation in the actomyosin cortical layer. For this, we are also investigating tissue-scale torque generation in developing quail embryos, to shed light on the process of left-right body axis formation in birds.
Other areas of focus include C. elegans eggshell formation and hydraulic decision making processes in the syncytial C. elegans gonad.
How is the nucleus organised?
Our lab explores the physical principles that govern the sequence-dependent organization of protein-DNA assemblies. By integrating theory with in vitro assays using optical tweezers, we uncovered two distinct mechanisms of collective protein-DNA interactions: transcription factor prewetting via a DNA-mediated collective surface phase transitions, and protein-DNA co-condensation via a globular collapse of DNA. These physical mechanisms participate in mesoscale structural organization of the nucleus, and offer novel perspectives for the regulation of gene expression.
In collaboration with the von Appen lab at MPI-CBG we are now extending these studies to the nuclear periphery. Here, we identified an unconventional DNA stiffening effect based on BAF and LEM2, together forming a load-bearing, mesoscale surface hydrogel that reinforces the nuclear periphery to provide genome integrity.
What are the physical mechanisms of life?
Theory, in particular active matter physics theory, is integral to our approach, providing a quantitative framework to uncover the physical mechanisms driving self-organization in living systems. We develop continuum and coarse-grained descriptions of active living matter, to describe dynamics, force generation, and symmetry breaking across scales.
