Our vision
In a living organism, numerous inanimate biomolecules and their inherently stochastic interactions are precisely orchestrated and organized in space and time, together enabling the enigma of life. We strive to understand these molecular interactions and the mechanisms that control them, to learn more about life processes, their underlying physical principles and the bases of disease in case of malfunction.
We develop and use techniques such as single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, super-resolution microscopy or force spectroscopy to follow the operation of individual molecules inside living cells and organisms or in reconstituted systems. Thus, we extract quantitative kinetic and structural information that enables us to build physical models of molecular interactions and biological mechanisms.
Single-molecule biophysics across the scale
Tracking single molecules enables quantifying their kinetic properties such as mobilities, bound fractions, and interaction rates, identifying subpopulations with different characteristics, and obtaining the spatial distribution of these kinetic parameters. We characterize purified molecules and single molecules in their natural environment of living cells and living multicellular organisms.
Main research interests
Gene expression is a vital process exploiting the genetic information. We study the molecular and kinetic mechanisms underlying the regulation of gene expression.
The three-dimensional chromatin architecture balances compactness and accessibility of chromatin. We unravel how architectural proteins achieve and maintain this compromise.
A single cell contains the blueprint of a complex organism. We are interested in the molecular and kinetic underpinings of animal development, in particular embryogenesis.
We develop single-molecule and super-resolution instruments with highest sensitivity, precision and stability.
For data analysis, we develop new algorithms and software tools.
We apply our quantitative microscopy techniques to unravel the molecular origins of diseases.
Funding
| Professors: | Prof. Dr. J. Christof M. Gebhardt Prof. Dr. Kay-Eberhard Gottschalk | ||||
| Senior-Professors: | Prof. Dr. sc. nat./ETH Zürich Othmar Marti Prof. Dr. Heinrich Hörber | ||||
| Secretariat: | N25 / 5208
Tel.: +49 (0)731 50 23010 | ||||
| Address: | Institute of Experimental Physics Albert-Einstein-Allee 11 89081 Ulm |
How to reach Ulm University:
Directions, Campusnavigator
e.g. with the tram:
From Ulm main station, every 10 minutes, take tram 2 towards Science Park II until stop Universität Süd.
How to find the institute:
The Institute of Experimental Physics is located in building part N25 of the university East on level 5. The secretariat is in room N25/5208.
from South entrance: go through the entire entry hall towards the North until the staircase/lift of N25.
from North entrance: go left (East) to M25, then right (South) to the staircase/lift of N25.
from East entrance: go left (West) to the staircase/lift of N25.
If you are lost: call the secretariat via 0731 50 23010.