时间：2025年11月28日（周五）16:00-17:30
地点：E4-233
腾讯会议：495-511-825
主讲人: Hao Wu, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
讲座主题：Recent Advances in Physics of Cell Membranes
讲座摘要: Cell membrane, as the central interface of living systems, has its physical properties dictating a multitude of biological functions. The classical Helfrich elastic theory provides a cornerstone for understanding membrane shapes and mechanics. However, confronting the complexity of real biological systems--such as their multicomponent nature, heterogeneity, and active environments--necessitates the development of new theoretical frameworks. This talk will systematically introduce a series of recent advances we have achieved in the field of membrane physics. First, we introduce a recently proposed, concrete physical model that integrates multiple dimensions including the membrane's asymmetric structure, elastic properties, the external environment, and the surface properties of the objects in contact with the membrane. Remarkably, this model reveals surprisingly interesting phase behaviors and discovers a universal linear scaling law governing diverse behaviors. Then, we unveil another nontrivial aspect of the Helfrich free energy. Beyond calculating the various shapes of normal cells, we have recently applied it to compute the shapes of pathological cells, again demonstrating the model's formidable predictive power for cell morphology. Furthermore, we elaborate on a generalized Helfrich free energy theory, which successfully extends the descriptive scope from single-component to multicomponent membranes, providing a solid theoretical foundation for understanding microdomain structures like lipid rafts and topological changes of cells. Finally, the talk will outline some future directions, including phase separation in active membrane systems, novel phenomena arising from geometric frustration in solid/fluid composite vesicles, and applications in biomedical contexts such as deformable cell swimming in spatially confining environments. This work highlights the powerful capability of an interdisciplinary research paradigm--integrating geometry, elasticity, statistical physics, and hydrodynamics--in unveiling the physical principles underlying life's complexity.
