Thomas Heimburg: The physics of nerves, anaesthesia and membrane channels

September 8, 2011, 11 AM
Auditorium: Festauditorium A1-01.01 (1-01)
Bülowsvej 17, Frederiksberg

 

Thomas Heimburg Membrane Biophysics Group, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen www.membranes.nbi.dk

 
Dr. Thomas Heimburg is professor for biophysics at the Niels Bohr Institute and also is the head of the “Membrane Biophysics Group” at the same institution.

His group focuses on understanding transitions in biomembranes, artificial lipid membranes and proteins. Their studies aim at understanding the coupling of protein function with lateral aggregation within the membrane and the control by the membrane state.

 

Specially provocative resulted for the media their model of cell communication via a type of sound wave named soliton. Interviews as well as national and international press releases regarding their new theory can be found on his group webpage:  http://www.membranes.nbi.dk/,

 

Selected publications
1. B. Lautrup, R. Appali, A. D. Jackson and T. Heimburg. 2011. The stability of solitons in biomembranes and nerves. Eur. Phys. J. E 2011, 34: 57 
2. J. Gallaher, K. Wodzinska, T. Heimburg, and M. Bier. 2010. Ion-channel-like behavior in lipid bilayer membranes at the melting transition. Phys. Rev. E. 81, 061925
3. S. Andersen, A. D. Jackson, and T. Heimburg. 2009. Towards a thermodynamic theory of nerve pulse propagation. Progr. Neurobiol. 88: 104-113.
4. H. M. Seeger, M. Gudmundsson and T. Heimburg. 2007. On the influence of anesthetics, neurotransmitters and antibiotics on the relaxation processes in lipid membranes. J. Phys. Chem. B 2007, 111, 13858-13866.