Dr. Liliana Angeles Martinez

Dr. Liliana Angeles Martinez

liliana.angeles-martinez@leibniz-hki.de

Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (HKI)

Applied Systems Biology

Spatio-temporal modelling of biological systems

Macromolecular crowding is a key feature of biological systems that influences molecular diffusion, reaction kinetics, and cellular behavior from intracellular environments to microbial biofilms. This project aims to investigate how crowding affects reaction–diffusion processes, with particular emphasis on enzymatic reactions and pathogen responses to antimicrobial compounds. We develop computational models that incorporate crowding-dependent transport and reaction kinetics to study how molecular size, spatial organization, and local environmental changes modulate biochemical processes. The project will provide new insights into microbial survival strategies, biofilm dynamics, and the effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments.

PhD start: 05/01/2025

Supervisors

Prof. Dr. Marc Thilo Figge

Prof. Dr. Marc Thilo Figge

Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (HKI)

Applied Systems Biology

Friedrich Schiller Universtität Jena Balance of the Microverse

Funded by

Freistaat Thüringen. Ministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Kultur. Carl Zeiss Stiftung Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft