Maier, Berenike - assoc. RG

We focus on the physics of bacterial systems. At the level of single molecules we investigate the mechanism of force generation in bacteria. How are directed movement and force generated at the molecular scale? How do interbacterial forces govern biofilm structure? We are particularly interested in bacterial motors involved in motility and horizontal gene transfer. At the population level, we investigate the evolutionary significance of these molecular motors. What are costs and benefits of horizontal gene transfer? How do interaction forces evolve in biofilms? In our group, physicists, biologists, and biochemists work in close collaboration using a combination of tools from nanotechnology, image analysis, molecular biology, and genomics.

For more information (research, lab members etc.), please check the research website. 

• Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC)
• CRC 1310: "Predictability in Evolution"
• DFG Priority Program 2389: "Emergent functions in bacterial multicellularity"
• Helmholtz School BioSoft