Zwicker Group
@zwickergroup.bsky.social
Theoretical biophysics group at MPI-DS, Göttingen. We study the spatiotemporal organization of soft matter in cells, tissues, and synthetic systems; see www.zwickergroup.org
Pinned
Zwicker Group
@zwickergroup.bsky.social
· Jan 24
We wrote a review on the "Physics of droplet regulation in biological cells": arxiv.org/abs/2501.13639 Beside the basic #physics of phase separation, we discuss three aspects that separate cellular from traditional droplets:
Reposted by Zwicker Group
Our Mini Review went online last night in Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
"Block copolymer concepts of how transcription organizes the stem cell genome"
doi.org/10.1016/j.gd...
Fig. 1: Stem cell–typical organization of the genome and transcription, and the block copolymer sorting concept.
"Block copolymer concepts of how transcription organizes the stem cell genome"
doi.org/10.1016/j.gd...
Fig. 1: Stem cell–typical organization of the genome and transcription, and the block copolymer sorting concept.
January 15, 2026 at 8:04 AM
Our Mini Review went online last night in Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
"Block copolymer concepts of how transcription organizes the stem cell genome"
doi.org/10.1016/j.gd...
Fig. 1: Stem cell–typical organization of the genome and transcription, and the block copolymer sorting concept.
"Block copolymer concepts of how transcription organizes the stem cell genome"
doi.org/10.1016/j.gd...
Fig. 1: Stem cell–typical organization of the genome and transcription, and the block copolymer sorting concept.
Excited to talk to the Matter to Life community about droplets and life!
We’re excited to kick off 2026 with a rescheduled talk in the Matter to Life Lecture Series:
“Droplets Come to Life” by MtL Fellow David Zwicker @zwickergroup.bsky.social from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization 🙌
Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
“Droplets Come to Life” by MtL Fellow David Zwicker @zwickergroup.bsky.social from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization 🙌
Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
January 15, 2026 at 7:41 AM
Excited to talk to the Matter to Life community about droplets and life!
Reposted by Zwicker Group
How does protein folding change inside biomolecular condensates?
Our new preprint put forwards a framework for predicting this!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳 work by the talented @nathanieldhess.bsky.social
Our new preprint put forwards a framework for predicting this!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳 work by the talented @nathanieldhess.bsky.social
I am very excited to share our pre-print that was just released on the bioRxiv entitled "Biomolecular Condensates Dictate the Folding Landscape of Proteins" doi.org/10.64898/202...
Very grateful for @jerelleaj.bsky.social and the members of the Joseph Group for their support on this project! (1/4)
Very grateful for @jerelleaj.bsky.social and the members of the Joseph Group for their support on this project! (1/4)
January 14, 2026 at 9:22 PM
How does protein folding change inside biomolecular condensates?
Our new preprint put forwards a framework for predicting this!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳 work by the talented @nathanieldhess.bsky.social
Our new preprint put forwards a framework for predicting this!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳 work by the talented @nathanieldhess.bsky.social
Reposted by Zwicker Group
"While the concept of condensates is successfully rewriting cell biology textbooks, there is some danger of overhype and backlash."
This workshop summary is great - particularly the idea to shift from "Is it a condensate?" to "what problem does that solve?"
but "successfully" stood out for me here
This workshop summary is great - particularly the idea to shift from "Is it a condensate?" to "what problem does that solve?"
but "successfully" stood out for me here
Physicists' perspective on the future direction of condensates in Cell Biology.
arxiv.org/abs/2601.03677
arxiv.org/abs/2601.03677
Roadmap for Condensates in Cell Biology
Biomolecular condensates govern essential cellular processes yet elude description by traditional equilibrium models. This roadmap, distilled from structured discussions at a workshop and reflecting t...
arxiv.org
January 8, 2026 at 11:15 AM
"While the concept of condensates is successfully rewriting cell biology textbooks, there is some danger of overhype and backlash."
This workshop summary is great - particularly the idea to shift from "Is it a condensate?" to "what problem does that solve?"
but "successfully" stood out for me here
This workshop summary is great - particularly the idea to shift from "Is it a condensate?" to "what problem does that solve?"
but "successfully" stood out for me here
Our "Roadmap for Condensates in Cell Biology" is now available on arXiv: arxiv.org/abs/2601.03677 🎉 This article summarizes the interdisciplinary weekly discussions we had at our condensate workshop at KITP in the summer of 2025. Feedback is very welcome!
Roadmap for Condensates in Cell Biology
Biomolecular condensates govern essential cellular processes yet elude description by traditional equilibrium models. This roadmap, distilled from structured discussions at a workshop and reflecting t...
arxiv.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:33 AM
Our "Roadmap for Condensates in Cell Biology" is now available on arXiv: arxiv.org/abs/2601.03677 🎉 This article summarizes the interdisciplinary weekly discussions we had at our condensate workshop at KITP in the summer of 2025. Feedback is very welcome!
We're looking for a postdoc to strengthen our group! Please apply by January 15, 2026 if you're a fun and motivated person who likes theoretical modeling of biological processes by combining analytics and numerics. There is freedom in choosing projects! Details: www.ds.mpg.de/4110032/job_...
December 17, 2025 at 12:39 PM
We're looking for a postdoc to strengthen our group! Please apply by January 15, 2026 if you're a fun and motivated person who likes theoretical modeling of biological processes by combining analytics and numerics. There is freedom in choosing projects! Details: www.ds.mpg.de/4110032/job_...
Since more than a decade, our group has been exploring chemically active droplets, which are exciting since their size can be controlled. Yet, we still do not fully understand this control even in the simplest models. Until a new preprint (arxiv.org/abs/2512.02542) spearheaded by postdoc Guido...
Size control guidelines for chemically active droplets
Biological cells and synthetic analogues use liquid-liquid phase separation to dynamically compartmentalize their environment for various applications. In many cases, multiple droplets need to coexist...
arxiv.org
December 15, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Since more than a decade, our group has been exploring chemically active droplets, which are exciting since their size can be controlled. Yet, we still do not fully understand this control even in the simplest models. Until a new preprint (arxiv.org/abs/2512.02542) spearheaded by postdoc Guido...
Reposted by Zwicker Group
📢 Paper alert 📢
Chirality is known to be important for the movement of microorganisms and active matter. In our new paper out today in @natphys.nature.com, we show that chirality is used by malaria parasites to control their motion patterns:
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Here comes a 🧵 ... (1/9)
Chirality is known to be important for the movement of microorganisms and active matter. In our new paper out today in @natphys.nature.com, we show that chirality is used by malaria parasites to control their motion patterns:
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Here comes a 🧵 ... (1/9)
November 24, 2025 at 5:50 PM
📢 Paper alert 📢
Chirality is known to be important for the movement of microorganisms and active matter. In our new paper out today in @natphys.nature.com, we show that chirality is used by malaria parasites to control their motion patterns:
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Here comes a 🧵 ... (1/9)
Chirality is known to be important for the movement of microorganisms and active matter. In our new paper out today in @natphys.nature.com, we show that chirality is used by malaria parasites to control their motion patterns:
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Here comes a 🧵 ... (1/9)
Two more pre-prints from the group 🎉 Riccardo explored how cells could control surface condensates by regulating bulk exchange (arxiv.org/abs/2511.03619). Filipe studied the impact of non-local interactions onto phase separation (arxiv.org/abs/2511.05214). Some more details in the thread:
November 24, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Two more pre-prints from the group 🎉 Riccardo explored how cells could control surface condensates by regulating bulk exchange (arxiv.org/abs/2511.03619). Filipe studied the impact of non-local interactions onto phase separation (arxiv.org/abs/2511.05214). Some more details in the thread:
Our review on the physics of phase separation in cells has been published by Rep. Prog. Phys. 🎉 doi.org/10.1088/1361...
We hope that the text and citations are helpful for anyone interested in physical descriptions of condensates in cells!
We hope that the text and citations are helpful for anyone interested in physical descriptions of condensates in cells!
November 21, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Our review on the physics of phase separation in cells has been published by Rep. Prog. Phys. 🎉 doi.org/10.1088/1361...
We hope that the text and citations are helpful for anyone interested in physical descriptions of condensates in cells!
We hope that the text and citations are helpful for anyone interested in physical descriptions of condensates in cells!
Another pre-print from our group see's the light of day! 🎉 This time we how the coarsening of droplets is affected by advection and reactions: arxiv.org/abs/2510.00827 @stefankoestler2025.bsky.social describes our surprising findings in the thread below ⤵️
October 2, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Another pre-print from our group see's the light of day! 🎉 This time we how the coarsening of droplets is affected by advection and reactions: arxiv.org/abs/2510.00827 @stefankoestler2025.bsky.social describes our surprising findings in the thread below ⤵️
Our latest work from a stimulating collaboration with @jerelleaj.bsky.social and @nathanieldhess.bsky.social is out now!
Out now in #ACSMacroLett: we demonstrate how molecular charge asymmetry can control the size of condensates! Work done in collaboration with @zwickergroup.bsky.social!!
Theory led by Chengjie Luo and simulations by @nathanieldhess.bsky.social!!
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Theory led by Chengjie Luo and simulations by @nathanieldhess.bsky.social!!
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Theory of Condensate Size Control by Molecular Charge Asymmetry
Biomolecular condensates are complex droplets comprising diverse molecules that interact by various mechanisms. Condensation is often driven by short-range attraction, but net charges can also mediate...
pubs.acs.org
September 30, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Our latest work from a stimulating collaboration with @jerelleaj.bsky.social and @nathanieldhess.bsky.social is out now!
A great example of a totally unplanned discovery in our group, spearheaded by a Bachelor and a PhD student! Curiosity wins 🥳
New preprint 🎉
What began as Frieder Johannsen’s bachelor thesis in the @zwickergroup.bsky.social (which I had the pleasure to supervise) evolved into our latest paper: “Chemically Active Liquid Bridges Generate Repulsive Forces” — unlike passive ones, which attract.
📄 arxiv.org/abs/2509.18777
What began as Frieder Johannsen’s bachelor thesis in the @zwickergroup.bsky.social (which I had the pleasure to supervise) evolved into our latest paper: “Chemically Active Liquid Bridges Generate Repulsive Forces” — unlike passive ones, which attract.
📄 arxiv.org/abs/2509.18777
September 29, 2025 at 5:31 PM
A great example of a totally unplanned discovery in our group, spearheaded by a Bachelor and a PhD student! Curiosity wins 🥳
Reposted by Zwicker Group
New preprint 🎉
What began as Frieder Johannsen’s bachelor thesis in the @zwickergroup.bsky.social (which I had the pleasure to supervise) evolved into our latest paper: “Chemically Active Liquid Bridges Generate Repulsive Forces” — unlike passive ones, which attract.
📄 arxiv.org/abs/2509.18777
What began as Frieder Johannsen’s bachelor thesis in the @zwickergroup.bsky.social (which I had the pleasure to supervise) evolved into our latest paper: “Chemically Active Liquid Bridges Generate Repulsive Forces” — unlike passive ones, which attract.
📄 arxiv.org/abs/2509.18777
September 29, 2025 at 5:17 PM
New preprint 🎉
What began as Frieder Johannsen’s bachelor thesis in the @zwickergroup.bsky.social (which I had the pleasure to supervise) evolved into our latest paper: “Chemically Active Liquid Bridges Generate Repulsive Forces” — unlike passive ones, which attract.
📄 arxiv.org/abs/2509.18777
What began as Frieder Johannsen’s bachelor thesis in the @zwickergroup.bsky.social (which I had the pleasure to supervise) evolved into our latest paper: “Chemically Active Liquid Bridges Generate Repulsive Forces” — unlike passive ones, which attract.
📄 arxiv.org/abs/2509.18777
It was fun to do a little interview and think about the relevance of our work for a more experimental and engineering inclined community.
David Zwicker, theoretical physicist and SynCellEU community member, explores how biological soft matter organises itself in space and time.
In our new article, we discuss his work, his contribution to #syncell research, and his advice to early-career researchers.
syntheticcell.eu/david-zwicke...
In our new article, we discuss his work, his contribution to #syncell research, and his advice to early-career researchers.
syntheticcell.eu/david-zwicke...
Meet the Community - David Zwicker
Theoretical physicist David Zwicker leads a research group that explores how biological soft matter organises itself in space and time
syntheticcell.eu
September 23, 2025 at 9:49 AM
It was fun to do a little interview and think about the relevance of our work for a more experimental and engineering inclined community.
Reposted by Zwicker Group
We have developed a new workflow to map whole human organs at single-cell resolution, while integrating spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics.
We applied this workflow to map precancerous lesions of the fallopian tubes.
More here: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We applied this workflow to map precancerous lesions of the fallopian tubes.
More here: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
September 22, 2025 at 11:48 AM
We have developed a new workflow to map whole human organs at single-cell resolution, while integrating spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics.
We applied this workflow to map precancerous lesions of the fallopian tubes.
More here: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We applied this workflow to map precancerous lesions of the fallopian tubes.
More here: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
In other news, we welcome Mengmeng Wu 🇨🇳 and Lukas Kristensen 🇩🇰 to our group! 🥳 Mengmeng is a postdoc who will combine particle-based simulations with analytical theory to study chemically active droplets. Lukas visits us for three months and will work on anchored active droplets. Welcome aboard! 🎉
September 12, 2025 at 7:19 AM
In other news, we welcome Mengmeng Wu 🇨🇳 and Lukas Kristensen 🇩🇰 to our group! 🥳 Mengmeng is a postdoc who will combine particle-based simulations with analytical theory to study chemically active droplets. Lukas visits us for three months and will work on anchored active droplets. Welcome aboard! 🎉
We were exceptionally effective at finishing manuscripts in the last weeks and couldn't keep up with describing pre-prints here. This thread summarizes the main results of our recent works:
September 12, 2025 at 7:16 AM
We were exceptionally effective at finishing manuscripts in the last weeks and couldn't keep up with describing pre-prints here. This thread summarizes the main results of our recent works:
This is a great opportunity to start an independent group in one of the best research environments you could think of!
Springboard for an international scientific career! 🧬🧪🔭⚛️🧠🌱 Call for #MaxPlanckResearchGroups launched; applications are possible until October 14, 2025 www.mpg.de/max-planck-r... #ScienceCareer
September 10, 2025 at 4:51 AM
This is a great opportunity to start an independent group in one of the best research environments you could think of!
Reposted by Zwicker Group
Interested in doing a PhD in my group? I have an opening for a PhD student to work on understanding and designing nanomedicine-membrane interactions! Apply here:
careers.universiteitleiden.nl/job/Leiden-P...
careers.universiteitleiden.nl/job/Leiden-P...
PhD position in understanding and designing nanomedicines-membranes interaction
PhD position in understanding and designing nanomedicines-membranes interaction
careers.universiteitleiden.nl
September 6, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Interested in doing a PhD in my group? I have an opening for a PhD student to work on understanding and designing nanomedicine-membrane interactions! Apply here:
careers.universiteitleiden.nl/job/Leiden-P...
careers.universiteitleiden.nl/job/Leiden-P...
Looking forward to discussing our little active droplet theories with students!
Can tiny droplets hold clues to the origin of life? 🙌
The MtL Lecture Series continues with a talk on “Droplets Come to Life” by MtL Fellow David Zwicker @zwickergroup.bsky.social from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization! 🎉
Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
The MtL Lecture Series continues with a talk on “Droplets Come to Life” by MtL Fellow David Zwicker @zwickergroup.bsky.social from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization! 🎉
Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
September 5, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Looking forward to discussing our little active droplet theories with students!
Reposted by Zwicker Group
Join my team for a PhD in Learning in living adaptive networks (Theory). Apply by October 7th through www.portal.graduatecenter.lmu.de/ocgc/qmb
August 31, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Join my team for a PhD in Learning in living adaptive networks (Theory). Apply by October 7th through www.portal.graduatecenter.lmu.de/ocgc/qmb
It was a lot of fun to write this little piece on using phase transitions to process cellular information! We probably pose more questions than we give answers, but that’s exciting.
🚨 New preprint!
Could living cells use phase transitions to process information?
We explore computational aspects of biomolecular condensation — from classification to control — while posing questions on expressivity (problems they solve) and learning (how they adapt).
📄 arxiv.org/abs/2507.23384
Could living cells use phase transitions to process information?
We explore computational aspects of biomolecular condensation — from classification to control — while posing questions on expressivity (problems they solve) and learning (how they adapt).
📄 arxiv.org/abs/2507.23384
August 22, 2025 at 1:57 PM
It was a lot of fun to write this little piece on using phase transitions to process cellular information! We probably pose more questions than we give answers, but that’s exciting.
Our institute turned 100 years today! We had a fantastic celebration with scientific talks by Howard Stone and Christina Marchetti. 🎉
Das Max-Planck-Institut für Dynamik und Selbstorganisation in Göttingen feiert am 16. Juli seinen 100. Geburtstag. Ein Blick auf die Geschichte des Instituts und die Verantwortung, die daraus erwächst. www.mpg.de/25050354/100... #Wissenschaftsgeschiche #Physik
Große Physik und große Verantwortung
Vor hundert Jahren nahm das Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institut für Strömungsforschung seine Arbeit auf. Aus ihm wurde das heutige Max-Planck-Institut für Dynamik und Selbstorganisation, das grundlegende Fragen d...
www.mpg.de
July 16, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Our institute turned 100 years today! We had a fantastic celebration with scientific talks by Howard Stone and Christina Marchetti. 🎉
This workshop was just exceptional! Thanks to everyone for making it such a success
And that concludes our #kitp program on biomolecular condensates 😢 Wow, what an *incredible* experience, and unique place to learn and think and grow! 🤓
July 12, 2025 at 11:58 AM
This workshop was just exceptional! Thanks to everyone for making it such a success