Electrostatic interactions are crucial for the assembly, disassembly, and stability of proteinaceous viral capsids. Moreover, at the molecular scale, elucidating the organization and structure of the capsid proteins in response to an approaching nanoprobe is a major challenge in … Read More
On December 10, 2021, Prof. Nataša Vaupotič and Dr. Matej Kanduč from our department received Zois distinctions for their scientific research. The Zois distinction is a state award for important achievements in scientific research and development. Prof. Vaupotič was awarded … Read More
Clonal dominance is a phenomenon whereby the descendants of one of a few founder cells contribute disproportionally to the system. In contexts such as bacterial growth, this phenomenon is often attributed to pre-existing genetic or positional propensities for dominance. However, … Read More
Active cell-junction remodeling is important for tissue morphogenesis, yet its underlying physics is not understood. In their recent paper published in Physical Review Letters, Matej Krajnc and Clément Zankoc studied a mechanical model of cell-cell junctions that describes junctions as dynamic … Read More
The performance of gold nanoparticles (NPs) in applications depends critically on the structure of the NP-solvent interface, at which the electrostatic surface polarization is one of the key characteristics that affect hydration, ionic adsorption, and electrochemical reactions. Using classical molecular … Read More
Theoretical Biophysics and Soft Matter Group at the Department of Theoretical Physics, Jožef Stefan Institute, is announcing a PhD position, awarded by Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana. The PhD candidate will work in the field of RNA … Read More
The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (CoV2) is required for cell entry and is the primary target for vaccine and therapy development. Unveiling molecular-scale mechanisms relevant to the diffusion of viral particles and their encounter with the cell membrane receptor (ACE2) … Read More
A large number of infectious diseases are transmitted by respiratory droplets. How long these droplets persist in the air, how far they can travel, and how long the pathogens they might carry survive are all decisive factors for the spread … Read More
In the ACS Nano article “How the Shape and Chemistry of Molecular Penetrants Control Responsive Hydrogel Permeability” we uncover the molecular principles of permeability and selectivity in hydrogels. The permeability of small molecules (drugs, toxins, reactants, etc.) through hydrogels is … Read More
Pollen grains carry male plant genetic material, encapsulated in a hard protective shell containing flexible, soft regions—apertures. When pollen grains leave the protective environment of the anther, they are exposed to the often harsh external environment and start to lose … Read More
