European High Pressure Research Group
DFG - GK 298
(Structure-Dynamics Relations in Microstructured Systems)
DFG - FOR 436
(Polymorphism, Dynamics and Function of Water at Molecular Surfaces)
Biophysical Chemistry uses experimental and theoretical approaches and develops new methods to address the mechanisms of biological processes at a molecular level. By using a variety of physico-chemical techniques, we are studying the structure, dynamics and phase behavior of biological model systems, such as model biomembranes and proteins. Understanding of these simpler systems helps in investigations of the more complex biological systems. Our emphasis in the field of membrane biophysics is the study of the energetics and phase behavior of lipid mesophases and the interaction of model membranes with steroids, anesthetics, drugs, polypeptides and signalling proteins. Our research activity is also motivated by a number of current and potential biomedical applications (e.g., drug delivery systems). In addition, we address pressure effects in molecular biophysics, such as pressure-induced phase transformations of lipid membranes and unfolding and denaturation of proteins. Deeper knowledge of protein-folding physics and chemistry may allow the design of drugs that will bind to specific protein conformations, thereby altering its folding pathway and preventing misfolding which can lead to diseases. Besides the general physico-chemical interest in using high pressure as a tool for understanding the phase behavior, structure and energetics of amphiphilic molecules, high pressure is also of considerable physiological (e.g., for understanding the physiology of deep sea organisms) and biotechnological (e.g., for high pressure food processing) interest.
