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

A Series of AnVIO22+ Complexes (An = U, Np, Pu) with N3O2‑Donating Schiff-Base Ligands: Systematic Trends in the Molecular Structures and Redox Behavior

Takeyama, T.; Tsushima, S.; Gericke, R.; Duckworth, T.; Kaden, P.; März, J.; Takao, K.

Abstract

In their +V and +VI oxidation states, actinide elements (U, Np, and Pu) are commonly encountered in characteristic linear dioxo structures, known as actinyl ions (AnO2n+; An = U, Np, Pu, n = 1, 2). A systematic understanding of the structural and redox behavior of AnVO2+/AnVIO22+ complexes is expected to provide valuable information for controlling the behavior of An elements in natural environments and in nuclear fuel cycles whilst enabling the development of spintronics and new reactivities that utilize the anisotropic spin of the 5f electrons. However, systematic trends in the behavior of AnVO2+/AnVIO22+ complexes remain poorly understood. The [AnV/VIO2(saldien)]−/0 complexes (saldien2− = N,N’-disalicylidenediethylenetriamine) studied here offer a promising avenue for advancing our understanding of this subject. The molecular structures of a series of [AnVIO2(saldien)] complexes were found to exhibit notable similarities through these An elements with minor, but still significant, contributions from the actinide contraction. The redox potentials of the [AnV/VIO2(saldien)]−/0 couples clearly increase from U to Np, followed by a subsequent decrease from Np to Pu (−1.667 V vs. Fc0/+ for [UV/VIO2(saldien)]−/0, −0.650 V for [NpV/VIO2(saldien)]−/0 and −0.698 V for [PuV/VIO2(saldien)]−/0). Such a difference can be explained in terms of the difference in character of the electronic configuration of the +VI oxidation state. A series of these redox trends was also successfully reproduced by DFT-based calculations. These findings provide valuable information for controlling the oxidation states of the An elements.

Keywords: Actinides; Complexes; Reduction; Ligands; Crystal structure

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-40675


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