Christoph Schmidt
Hertha Sponer Professor of Physics
Professor of Biology
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
office 2316
(919) 660-2708 email: christoph.schmidt@duke.edu
Renata Garces
Renata designs and performs experiments to explore bacterial cell mechanics. In particular, I’m interested in the information we can get by quantifying the cell response to mechanical inputs. Currently, my main focus is on learning how these tiny cells regulate their inner pressure under different biochemical stresses. Office 2322
I specialize in polymer physics and statistical physics, with expertise in single-molecule force spectroscopy combined with advanced imaging techniques. My research focuses on understanding the physical properties of subcellular components within cells and tissues. Office 2322
Octavio Albarran Arriagada
Theory & Modeling
My research interest is in the mechanics of animal cells. Using the innovative optical tweezers set-up, I measure the mechanical responses and force fluctuations from suspended cells under different conditions. I also study the rheological properties of the nucleus using two methods. The first one is to isolate the nucleus from the cells to perform optical tweezers microrheology, which reduces the interference from the cytoplasm. The second method is to functionalize single-walled carbon nanotubes so that they can be imported into the nucleus. Fluctuations of the nanotubes can be used to compute the local shear moduli. Office 2322
Nura Brimo
My research focuses on the mechanics of cells and the cell nucleus. Office 2322
My research is focused on the intersection between deep learning, complexity, and multiscale modelling of biological systems. Office 2322
Current
My project is related to the biophysical mechanisms of bacterial plasmolysis. The study focuses on how bacterial cells respond structurally and functionally to osmotic stress, particularly on the strain of the plasma membrane during the process. The project aims to deepen the understanding of bacterial osmoregulation and contribute insights into microbial resilience in extreme environments. Duke Kunshan University Office 2322
My current research in the lab is about probing the mechanical properties of the cell nucleus using carbon nanotubes. Duke Kunshan University Office 2322
Post Docs
Graduate Students
Achinthya Prahlad
Achinthya worked on the mechanical Properties of the lch5 Organ in the Drosophila Larva. Graduation Year: 2017
Alok worked on intracellular micromechanics of the syncytial Drosophila embryo. Graduation Year: 2015
Amna Abdalla Mohammed Khalid
Andre worked on single-molecule measurements of Kinesin motor proteins. Graduation Year: 2013
An Pham
Behzad GolshaeiBehzad is modeling biological systems, such as cell and dorsal closure,e by using finite element simulation to understand the role of material properties on cells and tissues’ functions. Graduation Year: 2023
Christopher Battle
Christopher worked on the mechanics & Dynamics of the Primary Cilium. Graduation Year: 2013
Christina worked on single-molecule experiments with mitotic motor proteins. Graduation Year: 2012
Chonglin Guan
Constantin Kohl
Daniel Härtter
Daisuke Mizuno
Eugenia Butkevich
Marcel Bremerich
Marcel worked on high-bandwidth microrheology of cytoskeletal networks. Graduation Year: 2012
Meenakshi Prabhune
Meenakshi worked on DNA-based molecular force sensors in cytoskeletal networks and cells. Graduation Year: 2015
Nikta Fakhri
Samaneh Rezvani
Samaneh worked on the mechanical and biochemical stimulation of suspended cells in a microfluidic device probed with dual optical tweezers. Graduation Year: 2017
Stefan Lakämper
Stefan worked on the characterization of the processivity of the fast fungal kinesin, NKin, from Neurospora crassa. Graduation Year: 2003
Sufi RAJA
Theresa Kaufeld
Theresa worked on lab-on-chip design to characterize pore-spanning lipid bilayers.
Graduation Year: 2013
Till Driehorst
Ulrich Fromme
Ulrich worked on investigating voltage- and light-sensitive ion channels. Graduation Year: 2016
Ivan Schaap
Jianguo Zhao
Kengo Nishi
Xiaoxuan studies intracellular force propagation using a FRET-based tension sensor with the help of mechanical micromanipulations.
Office 2322
Rita Boggs