Physicaprijs 2015 for Marileen Dogterom
The Physicaprijs 2015 has been awarded to FOM workgroup leader Marileen Dogterom. Marileen Dogterom is an international expert in experimental cell biophysics. She was one of the pioneers who helped to ensure that single molecule biophysics research in the Netherlands now enjoys a considerable international reputation. Over the past fifteen years an entire new generation of physicists in the Netherlands have become active in biophysics. Marileen has served as a role model for many young scientists in this regard. Marileen Dogterom works at Delft University of Technology where she is chair of the young Department of Bionanoscience that works at the boundary of metaphysics and cell biology.
Her main line of research is unravelling the mechanisms that eukaryotic cells (plant and animal cells) use to organise themselves so that they can divide successfully. During this cell division, the structure of the cell is reorganised and the chromosomes that have just been copied must be neatly divided into two groups after which two daughter cells are generated. This impressive process is realised by a collection of protein machines: microtubules, for example, are lined up to collect the chromosomes in the area where division takes place and once the division has started these tubules help to pull the chromosomes apart towards the two daughter cells using motor proteins. By constructing minimal experimental model systems, Marileen's group has made important contributions to understanding the organisational principles of this cytoskeleton. Her long-term goal is to construct an artificial cell. The fundamental research is vitally important for future breakthroughs in the areas of nutrition and health.
Each year the Physicaprijs is awarded to an eminent physicist working in the Netherlands. The prize is awarded following consultation between various representatives of the physics community in the Netherlands with the chairs of the Dutch Physical Society and the Stichting Physica. Marileen Dogterom will receive the prize the during the FYSICA 2015 congress that will take place on Friday 10 April 2014 at Eindhoven University of Technology. Then she will also hold the associated Physica lecture.
The March and May issues of the Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Natuurkunde will devote attention to the work of Marileen Dogterom [publication in Dutch].