Cancer and malaria research: MPZPM welcomes new research groups
The Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM) has welcomed two new research group leaders. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Viola Introini, “Vascular Infections,” and Dr. Eleni Dalaka, “Biomechanics of Cancer.”
Viola Introini is conducting research into the disease Malaria caused by Plasmodium parasites. For example, she focuses on investigating the mechanical forces which act during the invasion and adhesion of parasites to blood vessels. The aim is to gain new insights which can be applied to future treatments for malaria and other vascular diseases. Read more about Viola Introini and her research group “Vascular Infections” here.
Eleni Dalaka researches how physical forces and mechanical properties of cells influence cancer, from its initiation to its invasion and metastasis. In this context, she wants to understand why some cells metastasise and others don’t, and what the mechanical properties of these aggressive cells are, among other things. With that, she aims to develop new therapeutic approaches based on cancer biomechanics. Read more about Eleni Dalaka and her research group “Cancer Biomechanics” here.
About MPZPM
The Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM) is an interdisciplinary joint research center of the Max-Planck-Institute for the Science of Light (MPL), the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and the Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER). The MPZPM is home to several research groups covering different research areas at the interface of physics and medicine. In addition to five permanent groups (Franze, Guck, Ladoux, Sandoghdar, Zaburdaev), there is room for a further five independent research groups who find excellent research conditions: two W2-level groups from MPL and UKER, and three further groups with their own funding through ERC Starting Grants, ERC Consolidator Grants, or DFG Emmy Noether grants (please contact us if you are interested). Research is supported by central facilities for advanced microscopy, in vivo models, and lab-on-chip systems.
