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Studying Biophysics at Saarland University
Karin Jacobs, Professor of Experimental Physics at Saarland University, is Vice President of the German Research Foundation (DFG) for another six years. In her first term as Vice President of the DFG since 2021, Karin Jacobs has been committed to scientists in early career phases, in the Presidential Working Group on "Sustainability" and in the Senate's ad hoc working group on topics of digital change.
Congratulations!
See also press release of Saarland University from 02.07.2025 and press release of DFG from 02.07.2025
Studying Biophysics at Saarland University
Despite all modern science, the human being is still a puzzle with many missing pieces. Biophysics can find some of them. Biophysicists study what happens in the cells of the body and what forces are at work. Two students, Julia Weibert and Valentin Warken, give an insight into their studies at Saarland University.
See also: “Auf Goethes Spuren in menschlichen Zellen” (Campus - Das Web-Magazin, 20.06.2025, in German only)
Biophysics at Saarland University
Biophysicists can do anything, says Franziska Lautenschläger. In an interview, she and her colleague Albrecht Ott, Professor of Biological Experimental Physics, talk about the biophysics study programs, the career prospects for biophysicists and why you know you're in the right place when you get up in the morning and head to the lab full of anticipation for the day ahead.
See also “Mit Biophysik beschwingt aus dem Bett” (Campus - Das Web-Magazin, 20.06.2025, in German only)
DFG Priority Program for Cell Biology
On April 10 and 11, 2025, the on-site review of the new SPP 2493 - HetCCI took place on the Campus Homburg. All applicants presented their plans to a panel of international experts. The coordinator Sandra Iden and her colleagues look forward to starting this new priority program on heterotypic cell-cell interaction in summer 2025.
See also: Press release from Saarland University (19.4.2024, in German)
The research building is taking shape
The building is still scaffolded, but work is progressing to finally unite Saarbrücken's biophysics under one roof. "We can hardly wait to finally be able to move into the new building of the interfaculty center," says Prof. Dr. Franziska Lautenschläger.
Aritcle in Saarbrücker Zeitung 10.03.2025 (in German only) .
From benign to aggressively growing brain tumor
A team led by Professors Joachim Oertel, Director of the Clinic for Neurosurgery at Saarland University Hospital, Steffi Urbschat, Head of the Research Laboratory at the Clinic for Neurosurgery, and Gregor Jung, Professor of Biophysical Chemistry at Saarland University, have now succeeded in developing a coloring method that costs little and only takes a few minutes.
Press release by Saarland University from 11.02.2025 (in German)
A sports-scientific portrait
What do sport climbing and biophysical research have in common? A sports-scientific portrait of Prof. Dr. Franziska Lautenschläger appeared in the Saarbrücker Zeitung on 9.2.2025 (in German only).
15 years of antibiotic research
Prof. Dr. Rolf Müller has been leading antibiotic research at the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) for 15 years. The Saarbrücker Zeitung reported on this in an article dated February 3, 20255 (in German only) .
Topping-out ceremony
On September 13, 2024 - after 15 months of construction - the completion of the building shell was celebrated with a topping-out ceremony. Minister Reinhold Jost, Minister Jakob von Weizsäcker and University President Professor Ludger Santen were present at the ceremony. The state is constructing the new research building with financial support from the federal government at a cost of around 49 million euros.
Photo competition of SFB 1027: and the winner is...
Winners of Photocompetition 2024 of SFB 1027:
- Divyendu Thalla: (Project A10 - The actin cortex during transitions of cellular states)
- Samer Alokaidi (Project B2 - Bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation: Physical processes at interfaces)
- Kristin Kochems and Samhita Thalla (Projects B2 - Bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation: Physical processes at interfaces and A10 - The actin cortex during transitions of cellular states)
Congratulations and many thanks to all participants for submitting their wonderful pictures!
Past competitions can be found here.
The structure and mechanics of the cell cortex depend on the location and adhesion state
The actomyosin cortex plays a crucial role in determining cell mechanics and thus a variety of cell functions such as migration, division and differentiation. Understanding the relationship between the structure and mechanics of the cortex in different situations is necessary to explain cell properties that are crucial for health and disease, e.g. cancer. A team led by biophysicist Franziska Lautenschläger has investigated a clear correlation between the structure and stiffness of the cortex, taking an important step towards predicting and controlling the mechanical behavior and thus the function of cells.
The work was carried out as part of the Collaborative Research Center 1027 “Physical Modeling of Nonequilibrium Processes in Biological Systems”
Publication:
D. A. D. Flormann, ..., F. Lautenschläger: The structure and mechanics of the cell cortex depend on the location and adhesion state, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 121 e2320372121 (2024).
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2320372121
New insights into fat metabolism
Fats, the most important energy stores in the human body, are stored in so-called lipid droplets in the cells. Very little is known about how they work. A team led by biologist Bianca Schrul from Saarland University has now gained insights into a specific protein in the shell of these lipid droplets. This opens the door for further research, which could also help to better understand metabolic diseases.
The work was carried out as part of the Collaborative Research Center 1027 “Physical Modeling of Nonequilibrium Processes in Biological Systems”
Publication:
R. Dhiman, R.S. Perera, C.S. Poojari, H.T.A. Wiedemann, R. Kappl, C.W.M. Kay, J.S. Hub, B. Schrul: Hairpin protein partitioning from the ER to lipid droplets involves major structural rearrangements. Nat. Commun. 15, 4504 (2024).https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-48843-8
Press release of Saarland University from 12.06.2024 (in German)
New leadership team and board
Since 1st of June, 2024, Prof. Dr. Franziska Lautenschläger and Prof. Dr. Bianca Schrul are the new collegial leadership team of the Center for Biophysics. Moreover, a new Board has been selected.
CHE ranking: MINT areas at Saarland University in top group
The science and technology subjects of biology, chemistry, pharmacy and physics at Saarland University have landed in the top group nationwide for a whole range of criteria in the latest CHE ranking.
Press release of Saarland University (03.05.2024)
Prof. Dr. Manfred Lücke, R.I.P.
The death has occurred of our esteemed colleague, Prof. Dr. Manfred Lücke (*15.11.1944, ✝19.04.2024).
Our thoughts are with his family and friends. We will honor his memory and ground-breaking work on Spattern formation, nonlinear dynamics and ferrofluids.
Orbituary in Saarbrücker Zeitung
New DFG Priority Program for Cell Biology
Sandra Iden is coordinating an interdisciplinary joint project in the fields of cell and developmental biology, biophysics, structural biology, and genetics. The DFG Priority Program entitled "Heterotypic Cell-Cell Interactions in Epithelial Tissues" (SPP 2493, HetCCI) is scheduled to start in 2025. A total budget of around 5.7 million euros is available for the first funding phase.
Press release from Saarland University (19.4.2024, in German)
Ludger Santen starting his presidency
Manfred Schmitt's term as president of Saarland University ends after 7 years. Ludger Santen, Professor for Theoretical Physics and director of the Center for Biophysics, will start his term on April 1, 2024.
Press release of Saarland University of March 26, 2024 (in German).
Robert Ernst elected as new Vice-President for Research and Societal Responsibilit
The senate of Saarland University elected Professor Robert Ernst as new Vice-President for Research and Societal Responsibility. Congratulations and much success!
Press release of Saarland University of March 20, 2024 (in German)..