Laeschkir Würthner
@lwuerthner.bsky.social
Postdoctoral researcher at EMBL Heidelberg (Graf group) | PhD in theoretical biophysics (LMU Munich with Erwin Frey)
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
Join us for #MECO51 (51st Middle European Cooperation in Statistical Physics), 18–22 May 2026 in Pont-à-Mousson, France (Abbaye des Prémontrés). Invited & contributed talks, posters & best-poster prize. meco51.sciencesconf.org
Middle European Cooperation in Statistical Physics (51ème édition) - Sciencesconf.org
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meco51.sciencesconf.org
December 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Join us for #MECO51 (51st Middle European Cooperation in Statistical Physics), 18–22 May 2026 in Pont-à-Mousson, France (Abbaye des Prémontrés). Invited & contributed talks, posters & best-poster prize. meco51.sciencesconf.org
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
🧪⚛️ “Turing foams” in the Min system—now seen in experiment. Non-equilibrium protein currents create foam-like interfaces obeying Plateau laws and even splitting like tiny dividing cells. Stunning video from Petra Schwille’s lab; the whole story is here: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
December 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
🧪⚛️ “Turing foams” in the Min system—now seen in experiment. Non-equilibrium protein currents create foam-like interfaces obeying Plateau laws and even splitting like tiny dividing cells. Stunning video from Petra Schwille’s lab; the whole story is here: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
Here the correct link: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Protein pattern morphology and dynamics emerging from effective interfacial tension - Nature Physics
Protein patterns enable cellular processes. A general theory now identifies a non-equilibrium mechanism that generates an effective interfacial tension, shaping the geometry and intrinsic length scale...
www.nature.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Here the correct link: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
Liquid gears and conveyor belts: We show how the interplay between phase-separation and chemotactic interactions gives rise to persistent capillary waves that drive the formation of active “gears” and “conveyor belts”. link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/...
December 6, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Liquid gears and conveyor belts: We show how the interplay between phase-separation and chemotactic interactions gives rise to persistent capillary waves that drive the formation of active “gears” and “conveyor belts”. link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/...
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
🧪⚛️ Surface tension—driven by non-equilibrium currents not forces—in pattern formation leads to the same type of interface laws as in liquid foams: Plateau laws, von Neumann evolution; and a new emergent phenomenon: domain splitting akin to cell division. nature.com/articles/s4156…
December 6, 2025 at 8:12 AM
🧪⚛️ Surface tension—driven by non-equilibrium currents not forces—in pattern formation leads to the same type of interface laws as in liquid foams: Plateau laws, von Neumann evolution; and a new emergent phenomenon: domain splitting akin to cell division. nature.com/articles/s4156…
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
🧪 Geometry beats chemistry: we show that self-assembly can be controlled by tuning large-scale geometric parameters rather than molecular binding energies.
PNAS: doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Video summary: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FS3...
#SelfAssembly #Biophysics #PhysicsOfLife
PNAS: doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Video summary: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FS3...
#SelfAssembly #Biophysics #PhysicsOfLife
November 27, 2025 at 4:49 PM
🧪 Geometry beats chemistry: we show that self-assembly can be controlled by tuning large-scale geometric parameters rather than molecular binding energies.
PNAS: doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Video summary: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FS3...
#SelfAssembly #Biophysics #PhysicsOfLife
PNAS: doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Video summary: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FS3...
#SelfAssembly #Biophysics #PhysicsOfLife
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
Anthony A. Hyman will become EMBL’s next Director General.
He joins EMBL from @mpi-cbg.de in Dresden. He is also Professor of Molecular Biology @tudresden.bsky.social, and was a group leader at EMBL Heidelberg from 1993 to 1999.
www.embl.org/news/people-...
He joins EMBL from @mpi-cbg.de in Dresden. He is also Professor of Molecular Biology @tudresden.bsky.social, and was a group leader at EMBL Heidelberg from 1993 to 1999.
www.embl.org/news/people-...
November 27, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Anthony A. Hyman will become EMBL’s next Director General.
He joins EMBL from @mpi-cbg.de in Dresden. He is also Professor of Molecular Biology @tudresden.bsky.social, and was a group leader at EMBL Heidelberg from 1993 to 1999.
www.embl.org/news/people-...
He joins EMBL from @mpi-cbg.de in Dresden. He is also Professor of Molecular Biology @tudresden.bsky.social, and was a group leader at EMBL Heidelberg from 1993 to 1999.
www.embl.org/news/people-...
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
📢 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)
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
One more week to apply for this exciting symposium on collective behaviour 👇👇👇
Abstract deadline extension alert! 🚨 You now have until 25 November to submit your abstract and be one of 22 selected short talk speakers for #EESCollectivity ➡️ s.embl.org/ees26-01-bl
Explore how collective behaviours arise from fundamental principles across biological systems. 🦠🐒🧬
Explore how collective behaviours arise from fundamental principles across biological systems. 🦠🐒🧬
November 19, 2025 at 9:03 AM
One more week to apply for this exciting symposium on collective behaviour 👇👇👇
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
Only a few days left for abstract submission at the brand new EMBO|EMBL Symposium Collectivity in living systems: emergence, function and evolution. We have stellar speakers in cell, animal collectives & beyond @priscaliberali.bsky.social @icouzin.bsky.social @ricardsole.bsky.social
Join us!
Join us!
November 7, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Only a few days left for abstract submission at the brand new EMBO|EMBL Symposium Collectivity in living systems: emergence, function and evolution. We have stellar speakers in cell, animal collectives & beyond @priscaliberali.bsky.social @icouzin.bsky.social @ricardsole.bsky.social
Join us!
Join us!
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
✨ Back from summer break with 2 great DB seminars @embl.org! Andrew Hogan (van Gestel group) on protist predation defences & Simon Knoblich (Aulehla group) on calcium waves in Medaka gastrulation. Exciting research happening in the DB unit 🔥 #DevelopmentalBiology
September 24, 2025 at 8:59 AM
✨ Back from summer break with 2 great DB seminars @embl.org! Andrew Hogan (van Gestel group) on protist predation defences & Simon Knoblich (Aulehla group) on calcium waves in Medaka gastrulation. Exciting research happening in the DB unit 🔥 #DevelopmentalBiology
If you are interested in theory at the intersection of physics and biology, this is your chance! Andriy is a very nice and creative scientist, I can highly recommend joining his group.
(1/3) I am setting up shop and will be hiring #PostDocs & #PhD students to join my independent theory group at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (@helmholtzhzi.bsky.social) and the Lower Saxony Center for AI and Causal Methods in Medicine.
September 20, 2025 at 9:41 AM
If you are interested in theory at the intersection of physics and biology, this is your chance! Andriy is a very nice and creative scientist, I can highly recommend joining his group.
New preprint:
We use computational modeling and theory to study cell migration in fibrous porous media – the characteristic structure of the ECM. Our work reveals transient cell motility modes and 'porotaxis' – directed motion due to spatial heterogeneities in confinement. doi.org/10.1101/2025...
We use computational modeling and theory to study cell migration in fibrous porous media – the characteristic structure of the ECM. Our work reveals transient cell motility modes and 'porotaxis' – directed motion due to spatial heterogeneities in confinement. doi.org/10.1101/2025...
September 19, 2025 at 12:52 PM
New preprint:
We use computational modeling and theory to study cell migration in fibrous porous media – the characteristic structure of the ECM. Our work reveals transient cell motility modes and 'porotaxis' – directed motion due to spatial heterogeneities in confinement. doi.org/10.1101/2025...
We use computational modeling and theory to study cell migration in fibrous porous media – the characteristic structure of the ECM. Our work reveals transient cell motility modes and 'porotaxis' – directed motion due to spatial heterogeneities in confinement. doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
Please allow me to introduce... our new preprint 🎉 Together with Michael Zhao, Anna Erzberger and Alexander Aulehla, we investigate pattern formation due to aggregation in confined systems.
You can find it at arxiv.org/abs/2509.08533
@michaelzhao.bsky.social @erzbergerlab.bsky.social
You can find it at arxiv.org/abs/2509.08533
@michaelzhao.bsky.social @erzbergerlab.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Please allow me to introduce... our new preprint 🎉 Together with Michael Zhao, Anna Erzberger and Alexander Aulehla, we investigate pattern formation due to aggregation in confined systems.
You can find it at arxiv.org/abs/2509.08533
@michaelzhao.bsky.social @erzbergerlab.bsky.social
You can find it at arxiv.org/abs/2509.08533
@michaelzhao.bsky.social @erzbergerlab.bsky.social
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
We're looking for highly motivated candidates for PhD positions in the physics of living systems.
Our group uses theoretical physics to understand how cells collectively self-organize.
If you're interested, get in touch & check out the Biozentrum PhD Fellowship program, deadline October 12th!
Our group uses theoretical physics to understand how cells collectively self-organize.
If you're interested, get in touch & check out the Biozentrum PhD Fellowship program, deadline October 12th!
Apply now for the prestigious and independent #BiozentrumPhDFellowships. Great science. Unique rotation-based selection of research group and other incentives. The summer call is open until October 12, 2025. bit.ly/4caiqqX @biozentrum.unibas.ch @unibas.ch #fellowship #PhD#Switzerland
Biozentrum PhD Fellowships
Share your passion for life sciences. If you are talented and highly motivated, want to broaden your horizons and are interested in a wide range of research topics, apply for one of the sought after B...
bit.ly
September 15, 2025 at 10:04 AM
We're looking for highly motivated candidates for PhD positions in the physics of living systems.
Our group uses theoretical physics to understand how cells collectively self-organize.
If you're interested, get in touch & check out the Biozentrum PhD Fellowship program, deadline October 12th!
Our group uses theoretical physics to understand how cells collectively self-organize.
If you're interested, get in touch & check out the Biozentrum PhD Fellowship program, deadline October 12th!
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
Congratulations, Michael Dorrity and Anna Erzberger!
The two EMBL Heidelberg group leaders have received ERC Starting Grants that will enable ambitious projects related to developmental timing and tissue self-organisation, respectively.
Learn more: www.embl.org/news/awards-...
The two EMBL Heidelberg group leaders have received ERC Starting Grants that will enable ambitious projects related to developmental timing and tissue self-organisation, respectively.
Learn more: www.embl.org/news/awards-...
September 4, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Congratulations, Michael Dorrity and Anna Erzberger!
The two EMBL Heidelberg group leaders have received ERC Starting Grants that will enable ambitious projects related to developmental timing and tissue self-organisation, respectively.
Learn more: www.embl.org/news/awards-...
The two EMBL Heidelberg group leaders have received ERC Starting Grants that will enable ambitious projects related to developmental timing and tissue self-organisation, respectively.
Learn more: www.embl.org/news/awards-...
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells manipulate their microenvironment for survival. Using a 3D bone marrow model, we show that CLL cells accumulate at the core, reprogram stromal cells to generate a pro-tumor environment, and exploit other (healthy) cells as a 'shield'. doi.org/10.1002/hem3...
3D Tumor microenvironment interaction reveals AP‐1 complex regulation and contact‐mediated reprogramming of bone marrow stromal cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells actively reprogram their tumor microenvironment (TME) to promote drug resistance and tumor progression. Tumor cell survival critically depends on heterotypic ....
doi.org
August 14, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells manipulate their microenvironment for survival. Using a 3D bone marrow model, we show that CLL cells accumulate at the core, reprogram stromal cells to generate a pro-tumor environment, and exploit other (healthy) cells as a 'shield'. doi.org/10.1002/hem3...
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
It's been a busy month at the DB unit at EMBL #PhDdefence Simona Gioe', from the Aulehla group, successfully defended her PhD thesis, which was titled 'Investigating the functional role of oscillatory signalling via experimental entrainment of the somite segmentation clock'. Congrats, Simona 🥳🎓
August 1, 2025 at 1:52 PM
It's been a busy month at the DB unit at EMBL #PhDdefence Simona Gioe', from the Aulehla group, successfully defended her PhD thesis, which was titled 'Investigating the functional role of oscillatory signalling via experimental entrainment of the somite segmentation clock'. Congrats, Simona 🥳🎓
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
Happy to share that I defended my PhD this week!
✨✨It has been an amazing adventure full of learning, great science and incredible people here at @embl.org!✨✨
Looking forward to the next steps in my scientific journey
🔬🐟💛
If you haven't yet, check the preprint of my PhD research: bit.ly/45eBxOg
✨✨It has been an amazing adventure full of learning, great science and incredible people here at @embl.org!✨✨
Looking forward to the next steps in my scientific journey
🔬🐟💛
If you haven't yet, check the preprint of my PhD research: bit.ly/45eBxOg
🎓Congratulations to Camilla Autorino, from the Petridou group @nicolettapetridou.bsky.social @embl.org who has just defended her PhD thesis titled 'A closed feedback between tissue phase transitions and morphogen gradients drives patterning dynamics in the zebrafish embryo' #DevelopmentalBiology
July 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Happy to share that I defended my PhD this week!
✨✨It has been an amazing adventure full of learning, great science and incredible people here at @embl.org!✨✨
Looking forward to the next steps in my scientific journey
🔬🐟💛
If you haven't yet, check the preprint of my PhD research: bit.ly/45eBxOg
✨✨It has been an amazing adventure full of learning, great science and incredible people here at @embl.org!✨✨
Looking forward to the next steps in my scientific journey
🔬🐟💛
If you haven't yet, check the preprint of my PhD research: bit.ly/45eBxOg
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
✨ In this week's DB unit seminar, Michael Zhao, a postdoc in the Aulhela group, shared insights on how he uses a combination of experimental data and theoretical models to study patterning and collective behaviour in the presomitic mesoderm #Patterning #CollectiveBehavior #Mesoderm
July 25, 2025 at 12:17 PM
✨ In this week's DB unit seminar, Michael Zhao, a postdoc in the Aulhela group, shared insights on how he uses a combination of experimental data and theoretical models to study patterning and collective behaviour in the presomitic mesoderm #Patterning #CollectiveBehavior #Mesoderm
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
We cannot believe the DB unit summer school "Transitions in developing systems: from theory to experiments" has already come to an end. A huge thank you to all the organisers, speakers, and trainers for making it such an exciting and inspiring course #EMBLDevBio @dev-journal.bsky.social
July 9, 2025 at 8:04 PM
We cannot believe the DB unit summer school "Transitions in developing systems: from theory to experiments" has already come to an end. A huge thank you to all the organisers, speakers, and trainers for making it such an exciting and inspiring course #EMBLDevBio @dev-journal.bsky.social
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
That's a wrap for #EMBLDevBio! 🧫🧬 Over the last eight days, our participants received hands-on training using state-of-the-art methods applied in different model systems.
Thank you to everyone who made this course special, especially our participants, speakers, trainers, and organisers! 👏
Thank you to everyone who made this course special, especially our participants, speakers, trainers, and organisers! 👏
July 10, 2025 at 1:56 PM
That's a wrap for #EMBLDevBio! 🧫🧬 Over the last eight days, our participants received hands-on training using state-of-the-art methods applied in different model systems.
Thank you to everyone who made this course special, especially our participants, speakers, trainers, and organisers! 👏
Thank you to everyone who made this course special, especially our participants, speakers, trainers, and organisers! 👏
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
At the DB Unit Summer School, it's already time for Practical 1!
Participants are exploring the theory of phase transitions, critical points, and bifurcations with James Briscoe @jamesbriscoe.bsky.social and Isabella Graf @isabellagraf.bsky.social and her group members @lwuerthner.bsky.social
Participants are exploring the theory of phase transitions, critical points, and bifurcations with James Briscoe @jamesbriscoe.bsky.social and Isabella Graf @isabellagraf.bsky.social and her group members @lwuerthner.bsky.social
July 2, 2025 at 3:12 PM
At the DB Unit Summer School, it's already time for Practical 1!
Participants are exploring the theory of phase transitions, critical points, and bifurcations with James Briscoe @jamesbriscoe.bsky.social and Isabella Graf @isabellagraf.bsky.social and her group members @lwuerthner.bsky.social
Participants are exploring the theory of phase transitions, critical points, and bifurcations with James Briscoe @jamesbriscoe.bsky.social and Isabella Graf @isabellagraf.bsky.social and her group members @lwuerthner.bsky.social
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
The four days of "Theory and concepts in biology" finish with a round table discussion on biology's biggest challenges. Some common themes emerged: how to deal with biological complexity? How to understand levels of organization? Which features make life unique? #EESTCBio @events.embl.org
May 9, 2025 at 9:29 AM
The four days of "Theory and concepts in biology" finish with a round table discussion on biology's biggest challenges. Some common themes emerged: how to deal with biological complexity? How to understand levels of organization? Which features make life unique? #EESTCBio @events.embl.org
Reposted by Laeschkir Würthner
We can't believe #EESTCBio is over! 😱
Thank you to the organisers, speakers, and participants for creating such a vibrant space for critical thinking. It was a joy to see you exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore new perspectives 💡
We hope to see you again at the next edition! 👋
Thank you to the organisers, speakers, and participants for creating such a vibrant space for critical thinking. It was a joy to see you exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore new perspectives 💡
We hope to see you again at the next edition! 👋
May 9, 2025 at 11:45 AM
We can't believe #EESTCBio is over! 😱
Thank you to the organisers, speakers, and participants for creating such a vibrant space for critical thinking. It was a joy to see you exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore new perspectives 💡
We hope to see you again at the next edition! 👋
Thank you to the organisers, speakers, and participants for creating such a vibrant space for critical thinking. It was a joy to see you exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore new perspectives 💡
We hope to see you again at the next edition! 👋