Falko Schmidt is presenting his groups latest work on optothermal manipulation of biomolecular condensates.

Title of Talk:  Programmable architectures in biomolecular condensates by thermal feedback 

Time/Date: 09:40 CET/10.07.2026

Place: Uni Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

Abstract:  Biomolecular condensates are dynamic, phase-separated compartments whose material properties govern cellular organization and function. In this talk, I presented a reconfigurable optofluidic toolbox for controlling structural transitions in protein condensates by far-field perturbations. The platform combines spatial light modulation, optothermal actuation, quantitative phase imaging, optical diffraction tomography, and flow-field reconstruction to impose and monitor translation, rotation, dissolution, growth, fusion, and multiphase architecture formation in real time. These measurements provide direct access to condensate viscoelasticity, interfacial tension, diffusion, concentration gradients, and reversibility under defined thermal and flow conditions. Together, the results establish a quantitative framework for linking external perturbations to condensate material response and for probing stress-induced transitions in biomolecular soft matter.