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Biophysics Group
Center for Medical Physics and Technology
Biophysics Group
Henkestrasse 91
91052 Erlangen
Germany
phone: (+49) (0)9131-85-25610
fax: (+49) (0)9131-85-25601
email: bfabry@biomed.uni-erlangen.de
The Erlangen biophysics group is interested in the mechanical properties of cells and tissues: how cells respond to their mechanical environment, how they interact with their extracellular matrix and with neighboring cells, and what mechanisms they employ for transmigration, invasion, adhesion, contraction, and cell division. Our work has led to the discovery of a universal relationship between cell mechanics, cytoskeletal structure and dynamics, and the properties of the extracellular matrix. We are currently exploring the mechanisms that cause cells to follow this relationship, and we explore how this relationship impinges on cell responses in disorders such as asthma, cardio-vascular diseases, and cancer. To address these questions, our lab collaborates with other research groups worldwide to develop new technologies that draw from various fields, including soft matter physics, molecular cell biology, biochemistry, engineering, and applied mathematics.
updated: February 5, 2010 webmaster@biomed.uni-erlangen.de