The shape and size of cells is based on an interplay of chenmical potential, mechanical integrity and regulation. The dysregulation of cell shape under drug treatment has been used as a measure of the intrinsic mechanochemistry.
In recent work in my lab, we have discovered a threshold of effective mechanical bending rigidity of the cell envelope of Escherichia coli, that determines transition from robust cell shape to bulging and eventual lysis (Kale et al, 2025, MBoC). In that work we had modelled the dynamics using a coupled ordinary differential equation (ODE) model of the length and width of a rod shaped cell (Banerjee et al, 2016, Soft Matter). However, the observed cell shape deviates dramatically from this, looking more like a soap bubble.
In this project, the selected candidate will:
1) Perform simulations of the ODE model to better understand the role of these mechanics during cell division resulting in a "reset" of cell width
2) Predict the nature of coupling of MreB, wall mechanics and membrane in the emergent threshold
3) Develop a mesh-model code for the simulation of arbitrary shapes, as seen in experiment.
Knowledge of cell biology, bioinformatics, data analysis and handling and graphing. Programming in
https://sites.iiserpune.ac.in/~cathale/
IISER Pune invites applications from research oriented students to participate in its Summer Student Programmes. Successful applicants will have an opportunity to participate in the research programmes of IISER-Pune faculty. Research activities in IISER-Pune span both theory and experiment in Biology, Chemistry, Data Science, Earth and Climate Science, Mathematics, Humanities, Physics and Earth Sciences with a strong focus on interdisciplinary research. These summer projects are also an opportunity for students to evaluate the suitability of various programmes at IISER-Pune (Integrated PhD and PhD) for future career choice.
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This web registration process is not meant for
Summer fellows selected for IISER-Pune
through other fellowship programmes like IASc and JNCASR.
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