Biophysics of Polymers, Membranes, Gels, Colloids and Cells

The program Biophysics of polymers, colloids, membranes, gels and cells is the main national research program in biophysics. The proposed agenda includes a broad range of new problems and challenges at the level of molecules, viruses, cells, tissues, and organisms of both theoretical and experimental nature, the biophysical topics being complemented by selected problems in soft matter physics.   The program consists of 22 core and 5 supplementary topics grouped into 5 workpackages based on the characteristic lengthscale: i) macromolecular interactions, ii) nanocolloids, iii) liquid-crystal composites; iv) membranes and vesicles, and v) cells and tissues. On one hand, the proposed topics deal with fundamental questions of biophysics including both long-standing unresolved issues such as packing of genetic material in viruses as well as novel concepts such as antifragility. On the other hand, the program has an applied component - for example, we expect that a better understanding of interactions between organic molecules and substrate may lead to novel hybrid microelectronic devices. A part of the research will be carried out in collaboration with physicians so that the program will also have a clinical character. Along with the studies of phenomenology in question we will develop the theoretical and experimental approaches (e.g., the microfluidic techniques for vesicle and cell manipulation) so that a part of the expected results will be methodological. Very Important aspects of the program are modeling and development of minimal models of structures and processes, e.g. epithelial tissues. Members of the program are leading Slovenian biophysicists whose scientific excellence is demonstrated by publications in top-impact journals such as Reviews of Modern Physics and Nature. Institutions involved include Jožef Stefan Institute, University of Ljubljana, University of Maribor, and University of Nova Gorica. A part of research will be conducted in collaboration with the University Medical Centre Ljubljana and high-tech Slovenian companies such as Lek, d.d. and Aresis, d.o.o. The program is closely intertwined with higher education as many members are lecturers at all cycles; especially important is their work with PhD students. Members of the program are also engaged in popularization of science.   The research program is firmly embedded in the global science, which is reflected in joint publications with partners from aborad, participation in bilateral projects and international networks, organization of scientific meetings, and student exchange. Members of the program collaborate with partners from Austria, Croatia, Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA, Israel, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea. The program's reputation is also due to members' engagement in editorial work in international journals, organizational tasks in networks, conferences, workshops, and summer schools, visiting professorships at universities abroad and numerous invited lectures.

The proposed research and the expected results will contribute to the development of science, technology, and medicine at the basic, applied, methodological, and clinical level. The theoretical part of the program will elucidate a number of fundamental problems in molecular biophysics and in physics of colloids, liquid crystals, membranes, cells, and tissues. These problems are permeated by the phenomenological-methodlogical duality - on one hand we will typically pursue a previously unexplored phenomenon and on the other we will develop approaches and approximations that most succinctly capture its essence. In some cases (e.g., in the analysis of the phase diagram of soft anisometric colloids) we do not expect to make progress at a fundamental level because the classical theory of elasticity as starting point of the project has been known for a long time. Yet we will work out approximations that summarize the main aspects of interaction between deformable particles. Equally fundamental albeit from the experimental perspective will be our studies of the interaction of lipids and proteins with a flaccid membrane which will contribute to a better understanding of membrane processes in cell physiology.    The proposed research on nanostructures based on complex liquid-crystalline molecules is at the junction of materials science and nanoscience. Such nanostructures may be used to fabricate electroactive composites, polar conducting fiber etc. Numerous applications of suspension of nanofibers are envisaged in the field of biochemical sensors, energy transducers, and organic catalysts. Doping liquid-crystalline polymers with inorganic nanoparticles may be used to produce thin-film organic materials with material properties (e.g., conductivity and charge generation) may be controlled by mechanical stress, temperature changes or illumination, which would open a wide range of applications in technology and medicine. Equally appealing is the potential for applications of the proposed studies of interaction of organic molecules with 2D materials, which remain poorly understood. Our investigations will unravel the mechanisms of ordering of these molecules on surfaces, thereby contributing to a more rapid progress in the field of new electronic component base on hybrid organic-semiconductor systems.  With their applied and clinical value, our investigations of aggregation of proteins will be used in the development of new biological medications in Lek, d.d. The proposed studies of permeability of biological membranes for various inclusion will contribute to a better understanding of the effect of medications, which is undoubtedly important for their efficient application and development. Also critical for medicine is the understanding of the kinetics of peptide pores in the phospholipid membrane as pore-forming peptides facilitate the introduction of certain substances into cell nucleus, which improves the therapeutic effect. Finally a deeper insight into the impact of fatty acids on erythrocytes resulting from the proposed program will lead to a better understanding of the side effects of parenteral nutrition.

The importance of the proposed research for the development of Slovenia is multifaceted. First, the program will engage a cohort of researchers who have introduced a new scientific field at the national level; examples include physical virology and experimental studies of interactions of organic molecules with graphene. In many cases, these scientists remain the only or the most important carriers of this knowledge in Slovenia, thus playing a key role in research in the nation. In their respective fields, many members of the program are well-established at the international level, either within research collaborations and networks or through their work with scientific journals, which also contributes to the development and international visibility of Slovenia.    The proposed research is instrumental in creating the conditions where most of the members can work at their respective universities as full-fledged teachers and advisors, conveying new knowledge to the students and introducing them into research. Given that they are in charge of more than 50 courses at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cycle at the University of Ljubljana, University of Maribor, and University of Nova Gorica, members of the program remain key faculty for a number of study programs. In addition, they are very active as avisors at all levels. Especially important in this context is their work with PhD students; in the past 6-year period 13 PhD theses were supervised by members of the program. Yet another aspect of the impact of the proposed work is related to transfer of new knowledge and research results into teaching practice at all levels from elementary school to university-level study programs as well as to the popularization of science. Members of the program engage in these activities by building primarily on the topics studied within the program as some of them can be used to emphasize the role of scientific findings in everyday life. This strengthens the motivation of the pupils and students to enroll in science- and technology-oriented programs, where lack of interest is a long-standing problem. As this is a very sensitive issue demanding unwavering attention, the role of the proposed program is very important in this context.    Although the program is not explicitly dedicated to applied research, collaboration with companies is a part of its mission - especially with high-technology enterprises close to basic research due to the nature of their work. Members of the program collaborate with Aresis d.o.o. in the development of applications of laser tweezers in the area of microfluidics and cell biology, and joint projects with Lek d.d. are focused on studies of aggregation of proteins in biological medications and other problems. A part of this work is being done by PhD students engaged in Lek.d.d. and supervised by members of the program.