Cell Physics

Jochen Guck

Welcome to the Guck Division

Cells are the basic entities of biological systems. They have particular physical properties, which enable them to navigate their 3D physical environment and fulfill their biological functions. We investigate these physical – mechanical and optical – properties of living cells and tissues using novel photonics and biophysical tools to test their biological importance. Our ultimate goal is the transfer of our findings to medical application in the fields of improved diagnosis of diseases and novel therapeutic approaches.

Research overview

Our mission at the Guck division is to drive a paradigm shift in biology, moving away from a focus on molecular chemistry towards investigating emergent physical phenomena at cellular scales. To achieve this, we develop and apply advanced tools to understand cells as physical objects. Ultimately, we aspire to translate any insights gained into medical applications. Our current research topics include the use of high-throughput physical phenotyping of cells for improved disease understanding, and the quantitative mapping of physical properties at sub-cellular resolution with advanced biophotonic techniques.

For more information, please visit our Research page.

 

Feeling for cell function: Our toolbox for physical measurements of biological materials

Our laboratory has developed and uses a diverse array of biophysical techniques aimed at characterizing both the optical and mechanical properties of biological samples and complex fluids. Among these techniques, we conduct deformation experiments on cells utilizing Deformability Cytometry (DC) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). For assessing viscoelastic properties in vivo, we employ Brillouin Microscopy (BM) as an optomechanical technique. We use Optical Diffraction Tomography (ODT) to map the refractive index and mass density in biological samples at sub-cellular resolution. Moreover, we utilize hydrogel beads with precisely controlled stiffness to calibrate our devices and measure the forces exerted by tissues.
You can find more information on our Methods page.

Our Team

Contact

Cell Physics Division
Prof. Jochen Guck

Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light
Staudtstr. 2
D-91058 Erlangen, Germany

Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin
Kussmaulallee 2
D-91054 Erlangen, Germany

guck-office@mpl.mpg.de

+49 9131 8284 501
+49 9131 8284 502

Professor Jochen Guck

"It is a great fortune to be able to pursue your passion - discovering new things - in a professional capacity, and perhaps even improve the lives of many people in the process."


Markéta Kubánková honored with “For Women in Science” award

Markéta Kubánková from the Guck Division is one of four outstanding young female scientists to be honored with this year's “For Women in Science” award. “The world needs science – and science needs women” is the core message of the L'Oréal Foundation, the German UNESCO Commission and the German Humboldt Network, which present the prestigious award. 

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Understanding the physics of cancer, preventing metastases: Jochen Guck receives the Leopoldina Greve Prize

In honour of his groundbreaking insights into the movement of tumour cells, Professor Dr Jochen Guck from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL) in Erlangen receives the 2024 Greve Prize from the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. The award is endowed with 250,000 euros.

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"What is a physicist doing in biology and medicine?"

Jochen Guck gives the opening speech at the annual meeting of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

On June 27th and 28th, the annual meeting of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation will take place. Professor Jochen Guck, Director at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL), has been invited to give the keynote lecture at the opening ceremony, which will also be broadcast live.

With Benoit Ladoux, the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin wins an additional Humbold-Professor and expands the scope of its research

With Ladoux, the MPZPM not only gains a world-leading researcher in the field of biophysics, but now has a fourth Humboldt Professor on its Scientific Board alongside Prof. Franze, Prof. Guck (spokesperson of the MPZPM) and Prof. Sandoghdar.Since May, physicist Professor Benoit Ladoux and his research group 'Tissue mechanobiology' have been investigating the role of mechanical constraints…

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German Society for Cell Biology and ZEISS award Carl Zeiss Lecture 2023 to Professor Dr. Jochen Guck

The German Society of Cell Biology (DGZ) and ZEISS have honoured Professor Dr. Jochen Guck with the Carl Zeiss Lecture 2023. This award recognises internationally outstanding achievements in cell biology and pioneering microscopy methods for research into cell biology issues.

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