Team
SLAMLab)
Team manager: Ahmed Wylie
Presentation
The research in our lab is centered on understanding the physical principles that govern the behavior of biological systems, particularly those far from equilibrium. We focus on the mechanics and dynamics of soft, living, and active matter, aiming to uncover how cells and biomimetic systems harness energy to drive complex behaviors. Our work spans biological physics, materials science, and statistical physics, with a strong emphasis on the non-equilibrium processes that are fundamental to life. By utilizing advanced experimental techniques such as microscopy, laser tweezers, and rheology, we study the active forces and fluctuations that control cellular processes and the behavior of biological materials. Our interdisciplinary approach combines experimental observations with theoretical modeling to explore how mechanical forces influence cellular functions, how active matter self-organizes, and how non-equilibrium dynamics contribute to the robustness and adaptability of living systems. Ultimately, our research seeks to bridge the gap between physics and biology, providing insights that could lead to new biophysical tools and innovative materials inspired by the principles of life.
Project 1
We are investigating the active self organization of living systems from molecular to tissue scale using a combined approach of experiments (laser tweezers and high speed microscopy), theory (non-equilibrium statistical mechanics), and artificial intelligence (deep neural networks).
Project 2
In collaboration with the teams of Magali Suzanne (CBI) and Morgan Delarue (LAAS) we are investigating the mechanical signature of apoptosis in living cells and tissues.
Project 3
We use macroscopic table top experiments to explore active self-organization that mimics collective behavior living systems.
Team members
– Seyforth, H., Gomez, M., Rogers, W. B., Ross, J. L., & Ahmed, W. W. (2022). Nonequilibrium fluctuations and nonlinear response of an active bath. Physical review research, 4(2), 023043.
– Leoni, M., Paoluzzi, M., Eldeen, S., Estrada, A., Nguyen, L., Alexandrescu, M., … & Ahmed, W. W. (2020). Surfing and crawling macroscopic active particles under strong confinement: Inertial dynamics. Physical Review Research, 2(4), 043299.
– Ahmed, W. W., Fodor, É., Almonacid, M., Bussonnier, M., Verlhac, M. H., Gov, N., … & Betz, T. (2018). Active mechanics reveal molecular-scale force kinetics in living oocytes. Biophysical journal, 114(7), 1667-1679.
– Almonacid, M., Ahmed, W. W., Bussonnier, M., Mailly, P., Betz, T., Voituriez, R., … & Verlhac, M. H. (2015). Active diffusion positions the nucleus in mouse oocytes. Nature cell biology, 17(4), 470-479.
– Ahmed, W. W., Fodor, É., & Betz, T. (2015). Active cell mechanics: Measurement and theory. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Molecular Cell Research, 1853(11), 3083-3094.
– Ahmed, W. W., & Saif, T. A. (2014). Active transport of vesicles in neurons is modulated by mechanical tension. Scientific reports, 4(1), 4481.
Affiliation
