Göttingen Graduate Center for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences

Dr. David Zwicker*

Max Planck Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute Dynamics and Self-Organization


  • Since 2022: Member of the EMBO Young Investigator Programme
  • Since 2021: Fellow of the Max Planck School “Matter to Life”
  • Since 2017: Max Planck Research Group Leader “Theory of Biological Fluids”, Max Planck Institute Dynamics and Self-Organization
  • 2014–2017: Postdoc with Michael Brenner at Harvard, Cambridge MA
  • 2009–2013: PhD student with Frank Jülicher at MPI-PKS, Dresden
  • 2009: Internship with Pieter Rein ten Wolde at Amolf, Amsterdam
  • 2004–2009: Student of theoretical physics at TU Dresden




Major Research Interests

In contrast to most man-made machines, biological organisms are typically built from soft and often fluid-like material. How can such liquid matter be controlled in space and time to fulfill precise functions? To uncover the physical principles for such organization, we analyze theoretical models of biological processes using tools from statistical physics, dynamical system theory, fluid dynamics, and information theory. In particular, we study how phase separation is used to organize the liquid interior of cells and how the airflow during inhalation affects the transport of airborne odorants and thus the sense of smell.


Homepage Department/Research Group
http://www.zwickergroup.org


Selected Recent Publications


  • Y. Qiang, C. Luo, and D. Zwicker (2024) Nonlocal elasticity yields equilibrium patterns in phase separating systems, Phys. Rev. X 14.
  • N. Ziethen, J. Kirschbaum, and D. Zwicker (2023) Nucleation of chemically active droplets, Phys. Rev. Lett. 130, 248201.
  • S. Durand, Q. Lian, J. Jing, M. Ernst, M. Grelon, D. Zwicker and R. Mercier (2022), Joint control of meiotic crossover patterning by the synaptonemal complex and HEI10 dosage, Nat. Commun. 13, 5999.
  • D. Zwicker and L. Laan (2022) Evolved interactions stabilize many coexisting phases in multicomponent liquids, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 119, 28.
  • E. Vidal-Henriquez and D. Zwicker (2021) Cavitation controls droplet sizes in elastic media, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 118, 40.