This event is in the past.Speaker: Christopher V. Kelly, Assistant Professor, Physics & Astronomy, Wayne State University
Title: The biophysics of nanoscale membrane bending: the melting pot of STEM.
Abstract:
Biophysical research combines the tools developed in physics, mathematics, and engineering to answer important biological questions. My research examines the underlying principles of membrane bending at the <100 nm length scale. Since this is smaller than the wavelength of light, traditional observation methods fail to resolve the membrane heterogeneity. We are developing tools that use optics, nanoengineering, and computational data analysis to resolve the mechanisms by which membrane binding toxins internalize into cells. We will discuss the diverse expertise of students in my lab and how we are creating new theoretical and experimental methods to understand life.