Non-equilibrium physics of soft matter, turbid optics and developmental biology

We are a group of physicists studying processes in developmental Biology. In this, our interest is threefold: firstly, we are developing novel imaging techniques for in-vivo imaging in turbid environments that will enhance the capabilities of studying developmental processes in general. Secondly, we are interested in physical regulatory processes, particularly the influence of mechanical stresses on developmental processes, developing the necessary forcing apparatus for tissue scale properties. Finally, we are studying results of biological development with interesting physical properties, such as the photonic structures in butterfly wing scales.

The biological model systems we are studying are the wing imaginal disc and the tracheal system of Drosophila, which have been characterised extensively using genetic tools in the mechanical effects on development and Bicyclus Anynana in terms of the butterfly colouration. For these, we are closely collaborating with different Biology groups listed in the links section.

Apart from these directly biologically relevant problems, we take the study of elastic properties of biological tissues as a starting point in the investigation of the properties of growing soft matter, where our model system consists of two dimensional foams, which form structures akin to the epithelial tissues we study in Biology.

In addition, we are interested more generally in phase transitions and non-equilibrium behaviour. For this purpose, we also study Anderson localization of light in turbid media, the dynamics of granular gases under microgravity, as well as that of levitated three dimensional foams.

Some popular articles describing our work