Dr. Martin Benoit, Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU)

Project:
Von Willebrand Factor (vWF) is the largest molecule involved in the blood clotting system. It provides various binding sites specific to certain collagens and integrins. Interestingly, these binding sites for platelets, fibrinogen and the vessel wall are not active in a healthy blood circulation. Recently, it was discovered that vWF activates its adhesive function only when experiencing strong shear force irregularities. With an atomic force microscope (AFM), molecular forces can be measured directly. In this project the stretching (unfolding) forces and the adhesion forces of vWF shall be characterized. Together with medical researchers, theoretical physicists and biophysicists, vWF will be addressed in an interdisciplinary approach to elaborate a functional vWF model and strategies to recognize and cure vWF related diseases. 

Required Skills:
This project requires skills and interest in AFM force measurements, surface chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology.

More information about the group:
Dr. Benoit's website