Joshua Zimmerberg, MD, PhD, Director
The Program in Physical Biology (PPB), led by Joshua Zimmerberg, uses systems ranging in complexity from channel internal-surface physics to HIV pathophysiology in human tissue, to investigate the physicochemical basis of molecular, physiological, and pathological processes and interactions. The PBB develops novel, non-invasive technologies to probe the processes' physical and chemical parameters. The research focuses on the physical chemistry of surface forces, DNA-protein interactions, polymer organic chemistry, membrane biochemistry, pore-forming antibiotics, electrophysiology, cell biology, parasitology, immunology, tissue culture, laser micro-dissection, and virology. Diseases of special interest include macular degeneration, diabetes, malaria, dengue, and HIV.