graduate

What bacteria know about polymer physics

TYPEColloquium
Speaker:Prof. Julie Theriot
Affiliation:Stanford University
Organizer:Kinneret Keren
Date:02.05.2012
Time:13:15
Location:Lidow Rosen Auditorium (323)
Abstract:

Bacterial cells exhibit highly organized behaviors and growth patterns that are carefully regulated and controlled.  We are investigating several aspects of the dynamics and mechanics of bacterial cell organization including chromosome compaction and protein secretion.  We have found that these apparently complex biological phenomena can be explained quantitatively with surprising accuracy using very simple mechanical models derived from polymer physics.  In particular, this talk will explore the local movements of chromosomal loci in the Gram-negative bacterium