Light-matter-life interactions at the micron scale

by Prof. Roberto Di Leonardo (Sapienza, Università di Roma)

Tuesday 4 Jun 2019, 16:00 → 18:00 Europe/Rome

Aula Conversi (Dipartimento di Fisica - Ed. G. Marconi)

In 1676, using candle light and a small glass sphere as the lens, van
Leeuwenhoek discovered the microscopic world of living microorganisms.
Today, using lasers, spatial light modulators, digital cameras and
computers, we study the statistical and fluid mechanics of microswimmers in
ways that were unimaginable only 50 years ago. With light we can image
bacteria in 3D, apply controllable force fields or sculpt their 3D
environment. In addition to shaping the physical world outside cells we can
use light to control the internal state of genetically modified bacteria. I
will review our recent work going from the fundamental problems of
rectification and non-equilibrium steady states in active matter to the use
of bacteria as propellers for micro-machines or as a "living" paint
controlled by light.