Category: Doctoral Students Seminar

Talk by T. Thalheim at UL (August 15, 2017)

Thermophoretic trapping of single molecules

We recently developed a tool which confines Brownian motion by generating temperature gradients – the actual fuel of Brownian motion – with the help of plasmonic structures. The physical phenomenon behind this trapping principle is known as thermophoresis or Ludwig-Soret effect. We are also able to control the number of particles interacting in our trap using an optical feedback algorithm which allows us to set up completely new types of bio-molecular interaction dynamics assays.

I will present results of a single λ-DNA molecule whose center of mass (COM) was trapped. Continue reading “Talk by T. Thalheim at UL (August 15, 2017)”

Talk by M. Schäfer at MLU (July 18, 2017)

NMR investigations of dynamics in the different phases of semicrystalline polymers

The melt-crystallized morphology of semicrystalline polymers strongly depends on the diverse dynamics in the amorphous and crystalline region. The connections between structure formation and dynamics of polymer chains are investigated with SAXS and NMR spectroscopy, respectively, comparing polymers with and without intracrystalline dynamics (crystal-mobile and crystal-fixed). Proton time-domain techniques enable the analysis of the phase components, the intracrystalline and the amorphous phase dynamics. Continue reading “Talk by M. Schäfer at MLU (July 18, 2017)”

Talk by T. John at UL (June 13, 2017)

Amyloid peptide aggregation near gold interfaces and membranes

The aggregation of peptides into amyloid fibrils, desired or undesired, plays an important role in biological systems. Amyloid-forming peptides are soluble in its native state and aggregate under certain circumstances via intermediates to insoluble fibrils with characteristic cross-β-sheet structure. This aggregation is believed to be connected with several neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, it is not yet clear if the oligomeric intermediates or the mature fibrils are the toxic species or if amyloid fibrils are just a side product in the development of these diseases.

Continue reading “Talk by T. John at UL (June 13, 2017)”

Talk by M. Schulz at MLU (May 16, 2017)

Effects of the αC-relaxation for PEO and POM: Impact on Crystallization Process, Morphology and Reorganization Behavior

Depending on the presence or absence of an αC-relaxation it is possible to distinguish between crystal-mobile and crystal-fixed semi-crystalline polymers. Only crystal-mobile polymers own a certain chain mobility in the crystalline phase. In contrast to the crystal-fixed polymer Polycaprolactone (PCL), we analyze the impact of the αC-relaxation for two representatives of αC-mobile polymers, Polyethylenoxide (PEO) and Polyoxymethylene (POM), using different methods like SAXS and Flash-/DSC.

Continue reading “Talk by M. Schulz at MLU (May 16, 2017)”

Talk by F. Hoffmann at MLU (April 4, 2017)

Competition between Electrostatic and Hydrophobic Forces in the Central Core Region of Amyloid β Fibrils

Amyloidogenic peptides aggregated to large molecular assemblies are a hallmark of several diseases including Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and Alzheimer’s disease as well as type II diabetes. Although each of these diseases gives rise to a very distinctive clinical picture, amyloid fibrils share the cross-β structure as a common structural motif. Within this motif, the peptide strands are linked via lateral β-sheet-turn-β-sheet structures that result in fiber-like aggregates with diameters of a few nanometers and lengths up to several micrometers.

The central question that will be addressed is how electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions compete within the central core region of Aβ(1-40) fibrils. Continue reading “Talk by F. Hoffmann at MLU (April 4, 2017)”

Talk by P. Enke at MLU (March 14, 2017)

Effect of Different Crowding Agents on Structure and Dynamics of Unfolded Proteins

The interior of a cell is completely filled with molecules like proteins, lipids, RNA, and more which can act as crowders. The so-called macromolecular crowding plays an important role in the dynamics and the structure of proteins, especially unfolded proteins and polypeptide chains.

To investigate the influence of crowder agents on the dynamics and structure of unfolded polypeptide chains we performed time-resolved ensemble FRET experiments with different sizes of crowders and different unfolded polypeptide chains. Continue reading “Talk by P. Enke at MLU (March 14, 2017)”

Talk by A. Korn at UL (February 21, 2017)

Serine substitution in Amyloid-β – a possible link between β-Methylamino-L-alanine and Alzheimer’s disease?

In 1944 Guam was recaptured and fortified by US forces. Decades later soldiers that were stationed at Guam developed ALS-PDC (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis–parkinsonism/dementia complex) 50-100 times the incidence of ALS. Also Guam’s natives, the Chamorro, are plagued by severe neurodegenerative diseases. When looking for a possible cause for this phenomenon, scientists soon focused on the neurotoxin BMAA, found in cycad tree fruits, an important food source in Guam. BMAA is a non- proteinogenic amino acid produced by cyanobacteria that can be enriched via the food chain in plants, seafood and higher animals. This is a critical factor because cyanobacteria are known for their excessive blooms not only in marine ecosystems but also in lakes that are used as fresh water source for millions of people.

Continue reading “Talk by A. Korn at UL (February 21, 2017)”

Talk by E. Schreck at MLU (6th December 2016)

Polymers on Surfaces – or how to catch them all

The talk  will feature recent developments in the lab. It focuses mainly on the preparation of thinnest polymer films / single molecules under UHV condition. It introduces the techniques quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS), quartz microbalance (QMB) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and how their results should lead to a successful preparation. A short overview of what is coming next will be given at the end of the talk.

Location: MLU Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 3, SR 1.03, 06120 Halle (Saale)
Date and time: 06.12.16 at 3.30pm

Talk by P. Leube at UL (29th November 2016)

Characterization of the multiresponsive Poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) by spin probing EPR spectroscopy

The still rising number of publications dealing with stimuli-responsive polymers prove the high interest in such smart materials. Poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) exhibits thermo-, pH- and ionic strength responsive behavior in aqueous solutions, being a multiresponsive homopolymer [1]. The goal of this study is to under- stand, how the pH and ionic strength affect the thermoresponsivity of PDMAEMA.

Continue reading “Talk by P. Leube at UL (29th November 2016)”

Talk by S. Pylaeva at MLU (October 18th 2016)

Molecular dynamics simulations of polyQ14: structural and spectroscopic parameters

Polyglutamine proteins (PolyQ) are members of a big family of intrinsically disordered proteins or IDPs. Very flexible as monomers in solutions PolyQs tend to aggregate and form amyloid fibrils which were shown to be neurodegenerative. [1]

Continue reading “Talk by S. Pylaeva at MLU (October 18th 2016)”