Main Page

This is the homepage of the Georgia Tech node of the international Physics of Living Systems (PoLS) student research network. The goal of this network is to foster interaction and collaboration among PoLS researchers within Georgia Tech and across institutes. Six core faculty members from the Schools of Biology, Physics, and Mechanical Engineering lead the Georgia Tech PoLS node.

The NSF Physics of Living Systems program sponsors research "exploring the most fundamental physical processes that living systems utilize to perform their functions in dynamic and diverse environments." The aim of PoLS research is to advance our understanding of the living world in a quantitative way, while also seeking to expand the intellectual range of physics paying through the lessons learned from the biological study.

At Georgia Tech PoLS research is carried out across a diversity of biological scales: single-molecule ⇒ cellular ⇒ organismal biophysics. Both theoretical and experiment biophysics research is conducted by core faculty members and affiliated faculty.

Announcements

• Information about Physics of Living System Postdoctoral positions at Georgia Tech can be found [here Postdoctoral_Positions_in_the_Physics_of_Living_Systems]

 
Lunch & Learn 11/29/2012

INVESTIGATION OF PHAGOCYTOSIS WITH PHYSICAL TOOLS
Daniel Kovari (Curtis Lab)

Phagocytosis has traditionally been investigated in terms of the relevant biochemical signaling pathways.  However, a growing number of studies have investigated how the physical attributes of cells affect phagocytosis.  In this talk I provide an overview of phagocytosis, highlighting how physical reasoning has been used to explain some of the hallmark behaviors of phagocytes.  I go on to describe some of the novel, physic-inspired, tools we (the Curtis group) have been developing to investigate phagocytosis.  These tools include: micro-pipette manipulators, traction force-microscopy, and the development of a photo-switchable fluorescent actin protein for use in molecular dynamics studies.   The work I present is ongoing and contributes to our long term effort of developing a physics based model of phagocytosis.

• 11-16-12 there will be a talk given by Prof. Robert Dudley entitled From Ants to Hummingbirds: The Evolution of Flight. Information about the talk can be found here. Lunch for PoLS student members will be provided after the talk.

• 11-15-12: For those students interested, the Siements Competition in Math, Science & Technology will be held on the Georgia Tech campus this weekend. As described on the competition website "America’s next generation of young innovators presents their awe-inspiring research projects to expert university judges." More information can be found here.

Signing-up for the email list

To receive email notification about upcoming GaTech-PoLS events and reminders about the weekly talks, sign-up for the email list. You can sign-up by simply sending a message

To: pols-request@lists.gatech.edu
Subject: subscribe

You should immediately receive a response telling you that you have joined.

Core faculty list

Core Faculty

PI	Website	Contact
Daniel I. Goldman	http://crablab.gatech.edu	daniel.goldman[at]physics.gatech.edu
Jennifer Curtis	http://curtisresearch.gatech.edu/	jennifer.curtis[at]physics.gatech.edu
Kurt Wiesenfeld	Department profile	kurt.wiesenfeld[at] physics.gatech.edu
Joshua Weitz	http://www.physics.gatech.edu/user/joshua-weitz	jsweitz[at] gatech.edu
Harold Kim	http://www.physics.gatech.edu/user/harold-kim	harold.kim [at] physics.gatech.edu
David Hu	http://www-old.me.gatech.edu/hu/	hu [at] me.gatech.edu

Support

This network is supported by the NSF Physics of Living Systems program within the physics division. The student research network is a part of the NSF Science across virtual institutes program to encourage interaction among researchers across many universities.