Erwin Frey

Oct 1, 2024 | biorxiv.org | Henrik Weyer |Florian Gärtner |Erwin Frey |David Muramatsu

AbstractThe thymus is one of the most important organs of the immune system. It is responsible for both the production of T cells and the prevention of their autoimmunity. It comprises two types of tissue: the cortex, where nascent T cells (thymocytes) are generated; and the medulla, embedded within the cortex, where autoreactive thymocytes are eliminated through negative selection.

Sep 27, 2024 | link.aps.org | Tom Burkart |Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München |Benedikt Müller |Erwin Frey

Intracellular protein patterns regulate many vital cellular functions, such as the processing of spatiotemporal information or the control of shape deformations. To do so, pattern-forming systems can be sensitive to the cell geometry by means of coupling the protein dynamics on the cell membrane to dynamics in the cytosol.

Apr 3, 2024 | link.aps.org | Florian Gärtner |Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München |Erwin Frey

synopsisShape Matters in Self-AssemblyPublished 3 April 2024A theoretical study of self-assembly finds that hexagon-shaped building blocks can form large structures faster than triangular or square blocks. See more in PhysicsClick to ExpandPopular Summary In biology and nanotechnology, tiny building blocks can quickly and robustly come together to form complex structures.

Sep 7, 2023 | link.aps.org | Tom Burkart |Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München |Jan Willeke |Erwin Frey

Natural ecosystems, in particular on the microbial scale, are inhabited by a large number of species. The population size of each species is affected by interactions of individuals with each other and by spatial and temporal changes in environmental conditions, such as resource abundance. Here, we use a generic population dynamics model to study how, and under what conditions, a periodic temporal environmental variation can alter an ecosystem's composition and biodiversity.

Jul 8, 2023 | pubs.rsc.org | Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München |Ivan Maryshev |Erwin Frey

Hierarchical defect-induced condensation in active nematics† Topological defects play a central role in the formation and organization of various biological systems. Historically, such nonequilibrium defects have been mainly studied in the context of homogeneous active nematics. Phase-separated systems, in turn, are known to form dense and dynamic nematic bands, but typically lack topological defects.