Department of Biophysics


Research

The Biophysics Department conducts interdisciplinary research at the interface of biomolecular function, physical chemistry and radiochemistry. The activities contribute to the Helmholtz Research Programmes Nuclear Safety and Cancer Research in the Helmholtz-Association. We are member of the Cluster of Excellence "Physics of Life" (PoL) in Dresden. 

We are particularly interested in:

  • structural and dynamic aspects of biomembranes
  • conformational transitions in membrane proteins
  • interactions between (radio)metals and biomolecules
  • effects of metals and radionuclides on the metabolism of microorganisms (Televised MDR report)

Education

The Biophysics department participates in the Dresden International Graduate School for Biomedicine and Bioengineering (DIGS-BB) supported by the Excellence Initiative of the German federal and state governments.

Practicals on Molecular Spectroscopy and Calorimetry are offered. The following lectures are held at the technische Universität Dresden and are elgible for the Master Specialization "Soft Condensed Matter and Biological Physics":

  • Biological Thermodynamics (English, summer semester)
  • Biophysical Methods (German, winter semester)

Seminar lectures  for the International BIOTEC-Master Programme,

  • Vibrational Spectroscopy (English)
  • Absorption and Fluorescence Spectroscopy (English)

Experimental Methods

  • Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
  • Circular dichroism
  • Static and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy
  • Calorimetry
  • Mass-Spectroscopy

Spectroscopic data are evaluated in combination with Density Functional Theory to understand photochemoical and photophysical properties of organic complexes of actinides.


Latest publication

Recovery of germanium from optical fiber industry wastewater using desferroxamine B

Ghosh, A.; Hintersatz, C.; Kretzschmar, J.; Foerstendorf, H.; Tsushima, S.; Jain, R.

Abstract

Germanium (Ge) is a critical element whose long-term supply to industry is not assured. Thus, recovery of Ge from secondary sources is important. Siderophores-assisted technology could be a solution for recovery of Ge from secondary sources.
However, there are no studies on the interaction of Ge with siderophores and subsequent recovery. In the present study, the interaction of Ge with desferrioxamine B (DFOB) was studied to develop Ge recovery technology from its low-concentrated wastewater. Ge-DFOB complexation was studied under varying pH, different anion centrations and the presence of other metals. It was observed that Ge-DFOB complexation was preferred at lower pH and increased in the presence of chloride ions. DFOB complexed more than 80% Ge even when Zn, Ca, Cu, and Mg were in 20-fold molar excess. Increasing pH to 5 as well as addition of eight-fold excess
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) at pH 3.5 led to more than 95% decomplexation of the Ge-DFOB complex. Through spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, the hexadentate complex between hydroxamate groups of DFOB and Ge was established. When this technology was applied to wastewater from the fiber optics industry, more than 80% of Ge-DFOB was recovered with Ge purity of 84.5% using reversed-phase chromatography.

Keywords: Complexation; siderophore; circular economy; NMR spectroscopy; DFT

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-40014


More publications


Team


Head

NameBld./Office+49 351 260Email
Prof. Dr. Karim Fahmy801/P3012952
3601
k.fahmyAthzdr.de

Employees

NameBld./Office+49 351 260Email
Jenny Philipp801/P3033247
3568
j.philippAthzdr.de
Prof. Dr. Satoru Tsushima801/P3022978
s.tsushimaAthzdr.de

Other employees

NameBld./Office+49 351 260Email
Dr. Charlotte Kielar801/P3033247
3892
c.kielarAthzdr.de

Physical Chemistry of Biomolecular Condensates

Head

NameBld./Office+49 351 260Email
Dr. Ellen Adams801/P3012911
e.adamsAthzdr.de

Employees

NameBld./Office+49 351 260Email
Artur Czajkowski801/P3033375
a.czajkowskiAthzdr.de
Likhitha Chakra Priya Pulibandla801/P3033375
l.pulibandlaAthzdr.de
Manthan Raj801/P3033375
m.rajAthzdr.de
Juliane Tippmannj.tippmannAthzdr.de
Abhirami Udayabanua.udayabanuAthzdr.de