"Exploring the Nanoscale Dynamics of Molecular Systems" Dr. Frank Vollmer

Dr. Frank Vollmer

MPRG Independent Group Leader

Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light

Abstract

Medicine as well as biology increasingly rely on the use of cutting‐edge physics and engineering, in order to pursue the next generation nanomedical applications and to address fundamental questions in the life sciences. Central to this task is the study of micro- and nano systems, focusing on how engineered systems combined with natural ones can advance sensing, medicine, and our understanding of how biological systems work. My research addresses these important questions with state‐of‐the‐art biosensor technologies, capable of detecting single molecules and their structural dynamics; and resolving the kinetics of complex molecular systems on timescales ranging from few nanoseconds to several hours.

Biography

Frank Vollmer obtained his PhD in ʻPhysics & Biologyʼ from the Rockefeller University, NYC in 2004. He then　became leader of an independent research group at the Rowland Institute at Harvard University where he was　appointed Rowland Fellow from 2004 to 2009. In 2010 he joined the Wyss Institute for Bio-Inspired Engineering at Harvard University as a Scholar-in-Residence. In 2011 he was appointed group leader/Associate Professor of a Max Planck Research Group at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen, Germany. Since 2011 he is also appointed Associate Biologist at Brigham and Womenʼs Hospital in Boston, USA where he runs a satellite　laboratory.