Matter to Life Lecture Series

Past lectures

February, 9th at 2 pm CET -"Macromolecular Crowding and Self-Organization in Cells"

February, 9th at 2 pm CET -
"Macromolecular Crowding and Self-Organization in Cells"

Dr. Arnold Boersma
DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen
January, 26th at 2 pm CET -"Nothing but Noise?What Fluctuations Can Teach Us About Active Forces"

January, 26th at 2 pm CET -
"Nothing but Noise?
What Fluctuations Can Teach Us About Active Forces"

Prof. Timo Betz
University of Göttingen
January, 12th at 2 pm CET -"Modeling Droplets Inside Biological Cells"

January, 12th at 2 pm CET -
"Modeling Droplets Inside Biological Cells"

Dr. David Zwicker
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen
December, 8th at 2 pm CET - "Engineering Cell Adhesion Machineries"

December, 8th at 2 pm CET -
"Engineering Cell Adhesion Machineries"

Dr. Dr. E. Ada Cavalcanti-Adam
Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg & Heidelberg University
November, 24th at 2 pm CET -"Pharmapolymers for the 21st Century"

November, 24th at 2 pm CET -
"Pharmapolymers for the 21st Century"

Prof. Ulrich Schubert
University of Jena


November, 10th at 2 pm CET -"How Flows Shape Life"

November, 10th at 2 pm CET -
"How Flows Shape Life"

Prof. Karen Alim
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen & Technical University of Munich
October, 27th at 2 pm CEST -"Confined Cell Migration and Lipid Nanoparticles -About Spatio-Temporal Control of Living Cells in Designed Spaces"

October, 27th at 2 pm CEST -
"Confined Cell Migration and Lipid Nanoparticles -
About Spatio-Temporal Control of Living Cells in Designed Spaces"

Prof. Joachim Rädler
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
October, 13th at 2 pm CEST -"Building Nanostructures in Cancer Cells"

October, 13th at 2 pm CEST -
"Building Nanostructures in Cancer Cells"

MtL Guest Speaker: Dr. David Ng
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz
September, 29th at 2 pm CEST -"Self-Organisation Principles in Protein Pattern Formation"

September, 29th at 2 pm CEST -
"Self-Organisation Principles in Protein Pattern Formation"

Prof. Erwin Frey
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
September, 15th at 2 pm CEST -"A shortcut to synthetic cells?"

September, 15th at 2 pm CEST -
"A shortcut to synthetic cells?"

Dr. Kerstin Göpfrich
MPI for Medical Research, Heidelberg & Heidelberg University
July, 14th at 3 pm CEST -"Membrane Fusion Disentangled by Colloidal Probe Microscopy"

July, 14th at 3 pm CEST -
"Membrane Fusion Disentangled by Colloidal Probe Microscopy"

Prof. Andreas Janshoff
University of Göttingen
June, 9th at 3 pm CEST -"How Relevant is Physiological Relevance?"

June, 9th at 3 pm CEST -
"How Relevant is Physiological Relevance?"

Prof. Petra Schwille
Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Munich & Technical University of Munich
May, 12th at 3 pm CEST -"Bacterial Motility as an Example of the Evolutionary Optimized System"

May, 12th at 3 pm CEST -
"Bacterial Motility as an Example of the Evolutionary Optimized System"

Prof. Victor Sourjik
Max PIanck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg & University of Marburg
April, 28th at 3 pm CEST -"Material Synthesis Inspired by Nature"

April, 28th at 3 pm CEST -
"Material Synthesis Inspired by Nature"

Prof. Tanja Weil 
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz
April, 21st at 3 pm CEST - "Droplet Micro Arrays:A High Throughput Method for Antibiotic Screening"

April, 21st at 3 pm CEST - 
"Droplet Micro Arrays:
A High Throughput Method for Antibiotic Screening"

Prof. em. Michael Grunze 
Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg & em. Heidelberg University
MtL PhD Talk April, 14th at 3 pm CEST - "Can Shape Memory Effects Contribute to Improved Self-Healing Properties in Polymer Materials?"

MtL PhD Talk 
April, 14th at 3 pm CEST - 
"Can Shape Memory Effects Contribute to Improved Self-Healing Properties in Polymer Materials?"

Elizaveta Selezneva 
MtL PhD Student
MtL PhD Talk April, 7th at 3 pm CEST - "Multiscale Mechanics and Temporal Evolution of Vimentin Intermediate Filament Networks"

MtL PhD Talk 
April, 7th at 3 pm CEST - 
"Multiscale Mechanics and Temporal Evolution of Vimentin Intermediate Filament Networks"

Anna Schepers
MtL PhD Student
March, 31st at 3 pm CEST - "Designing Molecular Photoswitches to Remote Control Biology"

March, 31st at 3 pm CEST - 
"Designing Molecular Photoswitches to Remote Control Biology"

Prof. Stefan Hecht 
DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen & RWTH Aachen University, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
March, 24th at 3 pm CET -  "Physics of Life"

March, 24th at 3 pm CET -
"Physics of Life"

Prof. Stephan Grill
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden & Technical University Dresden
March, 17th at 3 pm CET -"Synthetic Extracellular Environments"

March, 17th at 3 pm CET -
"Synthetic Extracellular Environments"

Prof. Christine Selhuber-Unkel
Heidelberg University
March, 3rd at 3 pm CET -"Synthetic Virus"

March, 3rd at 3 pm CET -
"Synthetic Virus"

Prof. Joachim Spatz
Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg & Heidelberg University
February, 24th at 3 pm CET - "Engineering Functional Modules for Life-like Systems: Energy Supply, Metabolism, and Growth"

February, 24th at 3 pm CET - 
"Engineering Functional Modules for Life-like Systems: Energy Supply, Metabolism, and Growth"

Prof. Kai Sundmacher
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Magdeburg & University of Magdeburg
February, 10th at 3 pm CET - "Integrative Modelling of Large Biomolecular Complexes"

February, 10th at 3 pm CET - 
"Integrative Modelling of Large Biomolecular Complexes"

Prof. Martin Zacharias 
Technical University of Munich
February, 3rd at 3 pm CET - "MINFLUX Nanoscopy and Related Matters"

February, 3rd at 3 pm CET - 
"MINFLUX Nanoscopy and Related Matters"

Prof. Stefan Hell 
Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen & University of Göttingen, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg & Heidelberg University
January, 27th at 2 pm CET -"Pattern Formation in Active Cytoskeletal Systems"

January, 27th at 2 pm CET -
"Pattern Formation in Active Cytoskeletal Systems"

Prof. Andreas Bausch 
Technical University of Munich
January, 20th at 2 pm CET -"Morphological Complexity and Topological Transformations of Membrane Compartments"

January, 20th at 2 pm CET -
"Morphological Complexity and Topological Transformations of Membrane Compartments"

Prof. Reinhard Lipowsky 
Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam & University of Potsdam, Humboldt University, Berlin
January 13th at 2 pm CET -   "Reconstituting (Parts of) Cell Division"

January 13th at 2 pm CET - 
"Reconstituting (Parts of) Cell Division"

Prof. Andrea Musacchio 
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund & University of Duisburg-Essen

Lectures in 2020

MtL Student TalkDecember 16th at 2 pm CET - "Consciousness and the Hard Problem in Biological Systems"

MtL Student Talk
December 16th at 2 pm CET - 
"Consciousness and the Hard Problem in Biological Systems"

Johannes Hahmann
MtL Student
MtL Student TalkDecember 9th at 2 pm CET - "Information as a Biophysical Phenomenon"

MtL Student Talk
December 9th at 2 pm CET - 
"Information as a Biophysical Phenomenon"

Arsenii Hordeichyk
MtL Student
MtL Student TalkDecember 2nd at 2 pm CET - "Entropy and Life - A Historical Perspective"

MtL Student Talk
December 2nd at 2 pm CET - 
"Entropy and Life - A Historical Perspective"

Florian Aubermann
MtL Student
November 26th at 2 pm CET - "Protein-Based Sensors Revealing Physicochemical Properties of Cells"

November 26th at 2 pm CET - 
"Protein-Based Sensors Revealing Physicochemical Properties of Cells"

MtL Guest Speaker: Dr. Arnold Boersma
DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen
November 11th  at 2 pm CET - "Controlling the Activity of Drugs, Proteins and Genes by Ultrasound"

November 11th  at 2 pm CET -
"Controlling the Activity of Drugs, Proteins and Genes by Ultrasound"

Prof. Andreas Herrmann
DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen & RWTH Aachen University
November 4th at 2 pm CET - "Swimming with Magnets - From Bacteria to Microrobots"

November 4th at 2 pm CET - 
"Swimming with Magnets - From Bacteria to Microrobots"

Prof. Stefan Klumpp 
University of Göttingen
October 21st at 2 pm CET - "Feeling the Force: Protein Molecules and Materials as Mechano-Sensors"

October 21st at 2 pm CET - 
"Feeling the Force: Protein Molecules and Materials as Mechano-Sensors"

Prof. Frauke Gräter 
Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS) & Heidelberg University
October 14th at 2 pm CET -"Physics of Active Droplets"

October 14th at 2 pm CET -
"Physics of Active Droplets"

Prof. Frank Jülicher 
Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden & Technical University Dresden
October 7th at 2 pm CET

October 7th at 2 pm CET

Prof. Katharina Landfester 
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz
September 30th at 2 pm CET -"Simulation Studies of Pore Formation, Fusion and Fission"

September 30th at 2 pm CET -
"Simulation Studies of Pore Formation, Fusion and Fission"

Prof. Marcus Müller 
University of Göttingen
September 16th at 2 pm CET - "The Role of Phase Separation in Physiology and Disease"

September 16th at 2 pm CET - 
"The Role of Phase Separation in Physiology and Disease"

Prof. Anthony Hyman 
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden
September 2nd at 2 pm CET - "A Minimal Cytoskeleton - Filament Mechanics and Interactions"

September 2nd at 2 pm CET - 
"A Minimal Cytoskeleton - Filament Mechanics and Interactions"

Prof. Sarah Köster 
University of Göttingen
August 26th at 2 pm CET -"Emerging Material Robotics"

August 26th at 2 pm CET -
"Emerging Material Robotics"

Matter to Life Guest Speaker Dr. Stoyan Smoukov 
Queen Mary University of London
August 19th at 2 pm CET - "Feeling for Cell Function"

August 19th at 2 pm CET - 
"Feeling for Cell Function"

Prof. Jochen Guck 
Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light
August 12th at 2 pm CET -"Drop by Drop Towards an Artificial Chloroplast – Building Soft Matter Machines to Fix Carbon Dioxide"

August 12th at 2 pm CET -
"Drop by Drop Towards an Artificial Chloroplast – Building Soft Matter Machines to Fix Carbon Dioxide"

Prof. Tobias Erb 
Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology
August 5th at 2 pm CET -"Nanoscale Contact Area of Soft Objects upon Adhesion”

August 5th at 2 pm CET -
"Nanoscale Contact Area of Soft Objects upon Adhesion”

Prof. Karin Jacobs 
University of Saarland
July 29th at 2 pm CET -"Dynamic Matter Through Self-Assembly Inspired by Life"

July 29th at 2 pm CET -
"Dynamic Matter Through Self-Assembly Inspired by Life"

Prof. Job Boekhoven 
Technical University of Munich
July 22nd at 2 pm CET -"Designing Complex Biofunctional Materials through the Combination of Opposite Properties”

July 22nd at 2 pm CET -
"Designing Complex Biofunctional Materials through the Combination of Opposite Properties”

Matter to Life Guest Speaker: Dr. Pavel Levkin 
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
July 15th at 2 pm CET -"How Non-Muscle Cells Combine Signaling and Self-Assembly to Generate Force on Demand”

July 15th at 2 pm CET -
"How Non-Muscle Cells Combine Signaling and Self-Assembly to Generate Force on Demand”

Prof. Ulrich Schwarz
Heidelberg University
July 8th at 2 pm CET -"Chemically Active Matter"

July 8th at 2 pm CET -
"Chemically Active Matter"

Prof. Ramin Golestanian 
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen & University of Göttingen

July 1st at 2 pm CET -"From Cardiomyocyte to Whole Heart: Three-Dimensional Structure Analysis by X-Ray Diffraction and Tomography"

July 1st at 2 pm CET -
"From Cardiomyocyte to Whole Heart: Three-Dimensional Structure Analysis by X-Ray Diffraction and Tomography"

Prof. Tim Salditt
University of Göttingen
June 24th at 2 pm CET -"Cortex Mechanics of Cells - Where Bottom-Up and Top-Down Strategies Meet"

June 24th at 2 pm CET -
"Cortex Mechanics of Cells - Where Bottom-Up and Top-Down Strategies Meet"

Prof. Andreas Janshoff
University of Göttingen
June 17th at 2 pm CET -"From 3D to 2D: Functional Multicomponent Membranes on Supports"

June 17th at 2 pm CET -
"From 3D to 2D: Functional Multicomponent Membranes on Supports"

Prof. Claudia Steinem 
University of Göttingen
June 10th at 2 pm CET -"Reconstitution of 'Life-like' out-of Equilibrium Systems”

June 10th at 2 pm CET -
"Reconstitution of 'Life-like' out-of Equilibrium Systems”

Prof. Philippe Bastiaens 
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund & TU Dortmund University


June 3rd at 2 pm CET -"Growing Tissues One Cell at a Time: Patient-Derived Organoids for Drug Screening"

June 3rd at 2 pm CET -
"Growing Tissues One Cell at a Time: Patient-Derived Organoids for Drug Screening"

Prof. Michael Boutros
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg & Heidelberg University
May 27th at 2 pm CET -"Nanomachines at Work: Atomistic Simulations of Biomolecular Systems"

May 27th at 2 pm CET -
"Nanomachines at Work: Atomistic Simulations of Biomolecular Systems"

Prof. Helmut Grubmüller
Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen & University of Göttingen
Click here for answers to remaining questions from our Q&A session
May 20th at 2 pm CET -"Growing Tissues with Synthetic Building Blocks"

May 20th at 2 pm CET -
"Growing Tissues with Synthetic Building Blocks"

Prof. Laura De Laporte  
Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen & RWTH Aachen
May 13th at 2 pm CET"From Fluid Based Transport Networks in the Brain to Building Synthonems by Synthetic Biology"

May 13th at 2 pm CET
"From Fluid Based Transport Networks in the Brain to Building Synthonems by Synthetic Biology"

Prof. Eberhard Bodenschatz 
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen & University of Göttingen

May 6th at 2 pm CET -“Protein Self-Organization: Design Features of Life“

May 6th at 2 pm CET -
“Protein Self-Organization: Design Features of Life“

Prof. Petra Schwille
Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Munich & Technical University of Munich
April 29th at 2 pm CET - "Metal-based Sensors and Devices for Biological Systems"

April 29th at 2 pm CET - 
"Metal-based Sensors and Devices for Biological Systems"

Prof. Peter Comba 
Heidelberg University
April 22nd at 2 pm CET - "Synthetic DNA Machines to fight Viruses and other Troubles"

April 22nd at 2 pm CET - 
"Synthetic DNA Machines to fight Viruses and other Troubles"

Prof. Hendrik Dietz
Technical University of Munich
April 15th at 2 pm CET - "Future Materials Inspired by the Chemistry of Life"

April 15th at 2 pm CET -
"Future Materials Inspired by the Chemistry of Life"

Prof. Martin Möller
Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials & RWTH Aachen
April 8th at 2 pm CET - "How to Build a Cell Bottom-Up"

April 8th at 2 pm CET - "How to Build a Cell Bottom-Up"

Prof. Joachim Spatz
Max Planck Institute for Medical Research & Heidelberg University

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