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Past Research
A list of past Institute principal investigators organized into two groups - and - and listed alphabetically by last name.
Zvonimir Dogic -
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Complex Fluids and Condensed Matter
The objective of our research is to understand and control the self-assembly
of matter on a colloidal length scale. The basic building blocks used are colloids
of chemical or biological origin with well controlled spherical or rod-like shape
and polymers with varying persistence length. The interactions between these components
are well understood and can be modified in systematic ways. Despite the simplicity
of these building blocks, they assemble into a variety of novel structures with unexpected
complexity, e.g. 2D smectic phases, colloidal membranes, twisted chiral ribbons, and lamellar
and columnar phases. These processes of self-assembly are under thermodynamic control and we
use statistical mechanics to understand the final equilibrium structures.
In the future we intend to study the assembly, phase transitions and dynamics
of colloidal systems under non-equilibrium conditions
Peer Fischer - |
Symmetry and Chirality
Our research focuses on the interaction of molecules with optical, magnetic, and electric fields.
We are interested in a diverse spectrum of phenomena, ranging from light-matter interactions
to electromagnetic forces. A specific aim is to develop new experimental methods and instrumentation
for the detection of molecules and the separation of enantiomers.
Kristin Lewis -
Ecology and Botany
Parasitic angiosperms are unusual among parasitic organisms in that they and their hosts are in the same order and are very similar
physiologically. The comparable physiology of parasite and host enables the parasite to create direct connections with host-plant conductive
tissues and cells. Additionally, the host and parasite are influenced by similar endogenous and exogenous physiological cues.
We are interested in what kinds of information can be shared across the host-parasite boundary and how this affects both plants'
responses to environmental conditions. Our research focuses on the use of novel methodology to track transfer of resources
and signaling molecules between host and parasite.
Jiwoong Park -
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Nanoelectronics and Nanosensors
The electrical conductance of many nanoscale materials is strongly affected by a local
electrostatic and electrochemical environment. This unique property can be utilized
to build a nanosensor whose spatial resolution is comparable to the size of the sensor itself.
The objective of our research is to investigate the electron transport properties of various
nanoscale materials, including carbon nanotubes, semiconducting nanowires and single molecules,
and to develop nanoscale sensors based on them.
Ozgur Sahin - |
Nanomechanical Sensing
At the molecular level, physical and chemical properties of materials are tightly coupled to the mechanical
properties. The potential of mechanics for interacting with matter at the nanoscale has been largely
unexplored due to lack of instruments capable of performing mechanical measurements at nanometer length
scales. Our research focuses on developing tools and techniques to perform nanomechanical measurements
and applying them to problems in materials science, cell biology, and molecular biology.
Andrew Speck -
Ultracold Rydberg Atoms and Terahertz Spectroscopy
The objective of our research is to study the interaction of highly excited,
or Rydberg atoms, with unipolar terahertz electromagnetic pulses (half cycle
pulses). These systems provide a fascinating regime in which to explore
atomic states which exhibit both classical and quantum properties. The
first series of experiments in my group will explore the interaction of a
train of these pulses with Rydberg atoms. Further research will include the
study of the magnetic properties of the half cycle pulse and their effect on
atomic systems.
Rachel Spicer -
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Botany
Plants are able to regenerate whole body parts like roots and shoots with
relative ease because they demonstrate amazing cellular plasticity.
Masters of dedifferentiation, plants not only retain pools of stem cells
throughout their lives, but also create new stem cells in response to
developmental and environmental cues. My primary interest is in the role
of parenchyma cells in shaping large woody plants - namely, through their
ability to dedifferentiate and generate new meristems in response to
wounding, and during the transition to secondary growth. I'm interested
in developing molecular and microscopy techniques to study secondary
growth, including methods to image live cells in woody tissue.
Frank Vollmer -
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Biofunctional Photonics
We are interested in design and fabrication of photonic structures and circuits that interface,
probe and manipulate biological systems with single molecule sensitivity. To reach this objective,
light-matter interaction can be sufficiently enhanced by photon recirculation in micro- and
nano-scale cavities that offer ultimate Q and record-low modal volume. Once established,
the technique can help elucidate recognition, interaction and transformation of label-free
biomolecules, the interplay of which give rise to various complex functions and networks that
have evolved in the cell. Furthermore, access to a vast repertoire of functionality by
self-assembly of purified or genetically altered biological components provides
exciting opportunity for engineering of molecular-photonic device architecture.
Wesley Wong -
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Single-molecule Force Studies
We are interested in how biological systems work at the nanoscale, and the
physical laws that govern their behavior. Our focus is on weak, thermally
mediated interactions between and within biological molecules (e.g.
base-pairing in nucleic acids, receptor-ligand bonding, protein folding,
etc.), and the coupling of these interactions to mechanical force. We are
currently developing and applying new techniques, based on optical
tweezers and high-resolution optical detection, to study the mechanics and
force-driven kinetics of single-molecules.
Steven M. Block -
Single Molecule Biophysics
Research in our lab marries aspects of physics and biology to study the properties of proteins
or nucleic acids at the level of single macromolecules and molecular complexes.
Experimental tools include laser-based optical traps ("optical tweezers")
and a variety of state-of-the-art fluorescence techniques, in conjunction with
custom-built instrumentation for the nanometer-level detection of displacements and piconewton-level detection of forces.
Ava Chase -
Animal Behavior
Using discrimination tasks we explore the perceptual and cognitive capabilities in fish.
Dongmin Chen -
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Nanoscale Quantum Physics
The main thrust of our group is to explore novel quantum
phenomena in nanoscale materials using scanning tunneling microscopy
in an ultra high vacuum, low temperature and high magnetic field environment.
Louis Cincotta -
Photomedicine and Photobiology
Supramolecular chemistry of the phenothiazine moeity and design of photosensitizers for the photo-inactivation of viruses.
Isolation of anti-cancer agents from natural products and the exploration of tumor immunotherapies
through the use of photodynamically generated tumor associated antigens.
Jean-Marc Fournier -
Optical Structures
Research in how light interacts with matter : Lippmann photography
(historical full-color photography process), developement of very high resolution photosensitive
materials, optical trapping, holography, and an ultra-sensitive phase imaging microscope.
Lene Vestergaard Hau -
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Bose-Einstein Condensation and Non-Linear Optics
Research centered on cold atoms and Bose-Einstein condensation. Using laser cooling to efficiently precool
atoms to temperatures in the microkelvin regime, then subsequently, the atoms are trapped in a 4 Dee magnet
and evaporatively cooled to nanokelvin temperatures. This results in the creation of Bose-Einstein condensates
typically containing millions of atoms. The condensates are formed in an ultra high vacuum system constructed
for easy access to and manipulation of cold atom clouds with light probes and mechanical structures.
Jeffrey Hoch -
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We study protein structure, dynamics, and stability. We try to understand how these properties
relate to biological function. Our principal tool is NMR spectroscopy, but we also rely on other biophysical techniques.
Amit Meller -
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Single Molecule Biophysics
We study the dynamics of individual DNA and RNA molecules threaded through a nanomete
scale pore (“nanopore”). The threading of the negatively charged biopolymers is
made possible by an electric field applied across the nanopore. Controlling the magnitude of
the field in real time allow us to apply a varying force on the molecule and study its
response. In this way we are able to detect the interactions of polynucleotides with proteins,
and study secondary structure formation in RNA. The structure of the single molecule is probed
using time-resolved Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer and single channel ion current
measurements.
John Osterhout -
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Studies of a helical hairpin peptide, alpha T alpha, which is a de novo designed helix-turn-helix
peptide using Circular Dichroism (CD) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
Robert Savoy -
Neuroscience
Brain mapping research using temporal resolution of fMRI to drive novel experimental design.
Diane Schaak -
Biochemistry
The objective of my research is to develop an alternative method for treatment of bacterial
infections using nature's own cure: the bacteriophage. Through a variety of molecular biological
techniques, bacteriophages are being enhanced to insure complete elimination of an invasive bacteria.
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