2006

Bacteria use tiny bungee cords

How do bacteria attach to surfaces in our bodies even if we try to flush them out, e.g. in the urinary tract? A group of researchers at ETH Zurich and the University of Washington in Seattle report that the coiled, hair-like protrusions on the bacterial surface can extend like bungee cords and help bacteria to hang on. September 2006

Julius Springer Prize for Applied Physics 2006 goes to Viola Vogel for pioneering work in bionanotechnology

This year's Julius Springer Prize for Applied Physics will be awarded to Dr. Viola Vogel for her creative and pioneering work on bionanotechnology exploring single molecule mechanics and nanomotors for technical applications. The award, accompanied by USD 5,000, will be presented during the 2006 Spring Meeting of the Materials Research Society (MRS) in San Francisco, CA on 18 April 2006. external page April 2006   

The forces in nanomedicine

Researchers have joined forces in an international ‘NanoMecidine Center for Mechanical Biology’ to better understand the mechanical forces of the living cells. ETH-professor Viola Vogel takes part in it and hopes for a mechanical repair handbook for the cells in the long-term. March - Text in german 2006