Institute of Biophysics

The mission of the Institute of Biophysics, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged is to understand biological systems and fundamental biological processes from the molecular level up to the cellular and tissue level, on the basis of physical principles; the development and application of modern physical methods in the study of biological systems; to promote within this framework discovery and applied – biomedical, biotechnological – science. Our main research directions are as follows:

• structural and dynamic properties of the macromolecules constituting biological membranes
• photophysics and mechanism of proteins functionally interacting with light
• mechanics of biologically relevant molecular interactions, development of optical micromanipulation and its application for the measurement of molecular forces and in microscopic imaging
• application of the techniques of microfluidics in model biological systems, to study the processes of evolution and adaptation on the single cell and on the population level
• development and testing of integrated biophotonic and bioelectronic devices
• investigation of cellular interactions by the development of lab-on-a-chip devices
• studies of the structure, physiology and pathology of biological barriers and of the neurovascular unit
• investigating certain neurodegenerative diseases affecting motoneurons on the morphological and molecular level

The Institute of Biophysics operates several unique major instruments, thereby providing the possibility of fruitful collaboration not only for the entire HUN-REN BRC but also for the University of Szeged and even in a wider circuit.