Alexander Marshall, a graduate student from UNC-Chapel Hill shared research with student and faculty during the weekly Physics & Astro Tea event.
“When cells are stretched or compressed, the movement of molecules inside them changes.” This is the impetus for the research Alexander Marshall has been doing at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, where he is currently a graduate student. Marshall presented his work during the Physics & Astro Tea weekly event.
To study this movement, Marshall and his research group use a fast single particle tracking optical system to observe molecules in poroelastic gels, which are easily controllable analogs to cartilage.
In media where molecules are free to travel, they move randomly in all directions. In poroelastic gels, where molecules are contained in small volumes, molecules predictably move much less. However, Marshall and his group found that when the gel is deformed, molecular movement increases a small amount.
Hosted weekly by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Physics & Astro Tea promises engaging discussions, thought-provoking ideas and a delightful spread of refreshments. Open to all students, faculty and staff, this gathering is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow physics aficionados in a relaxed and informal setting. Meetings take place in the third-floor lounge of Innovation Hall at 3:20 p.m. on Wednesdays.