Expertise
The Sommer group has a strong background in theoretical polymer and soft matter physics, employing both analytical methods from statistical physics and coarse-grained computer simulations. Key research topics have included polymers at interfaces1,2, polymer crystallization3,4 and phase transitions5, as well as polymer gels and networks6. In recent years, the group has developed theoretical framework for polymers in mixed solvents which explains unusual phase transitions7. In collaboration with the Schiessel group, the theory of polymer-assisted condensation has been established and validated through computer simulations which serves as generic model for condensates such as heterochromatin8,9.
References:
- Merlitz et al. Nanoscale Brushes: How to Build a Smart Surface Coating. Phys Rev Lett. 2009;102(11):115702. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.102.115702
- Friedrichs et al. Entropic repulsion of cholesterol-containing layers counteracts bioadhesion. Nature. 2023;618(7966):733-739. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06033-4
- Luo et al. Frozen Topology: Entanglements Control Nucleation and Crystallization in Polymers. Phys Rev Lett. 2014;112(19):195702. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.112.195702
- Sommer et al. Polymer Crystallization. In: Reiter G, Strobl G, eds. Vol 714. Lecture Notes in Physics. Springer; 2007. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-47307-6
- Donets et al. Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Strain-Induced Phase Transition of Poly(ethylene oxide) in Water. J Phys Chem B. 2018;122(1):392-397. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b10793
- Zieris et. al. Biohybrid Networks of Selectively Desulfated Glycosaminoglycans for Tunable Growth Factor Delivery. Biomacromolecules. 2014;15(12):4439-4446. https://doi.org/10.1021/bm5012294
- Sommer et al. Adsorption-Attraction Model for Co-Nonsolvency in Polymer Brushes. Macromolecules. 2017;50:2219-2228. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.6b02231
- Sommer et al, Merlitz H, Schiessel H. Polymer-Assisted Condensation: A Mechanism for Hetero-Chromatin Formation and Epigenetic Memory. Macromolecules. 2022;55:4841-4851. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00244
- Haugk et al. Single Chain Polymer Condensates under External Force. Macromolecules. 2024;57(19):9476-9488. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.4c01060