Thomas J. Böddeker
Postdoc in the Eickholt Lab
Contact
Thomas J. Böddeker
Postdoc in the Eickholt Lab
Institute of Biochemistry
Charité – Berlin University of Medicine, Germany
thomas.boeddeker [at] charite.de
The laws of physics set limits within which life evolved. Within these confines, life uses physical phenomena to its advantage. Since life has had so much time to master physics, why not learn physics from life?
I am interested in observing and quantifying biology in order to understand how it uses physics. What new physics can biology teach us?
I am interested in observing and quantifying biology in order to understand how it uses physics. What new physics can biology teach us?
News
October 2025: Our preprint " Membrane protein condensates polymerize actin and form filopodia" is out on biorxiv! This work combines cell biology, biochemistry and physics and is a great example how interdisciplinary research advances all fields. We found that the membrane protein PLPPR3, a regulator of filopodia formation in neurons, forms liquid condensates in vitro and in vivo. These condensates have a high affinity for actin, leading to a locally higher concentration of actin monomers compared to the environment. Actin in the condensate subsequently polymerizes, and the preferential partitioning of the monomers sustains this process at the expense of actin in the environment. We identify a novel WH2-like actin affinity domain in PLPPR3. Deletion of this domain lowers actin partitioning in vitro and abolishes the filopodia-inducing effect of PLPPR3 in vivo.
see it on biorxiv here
October 2025: Our preprint " Membrane protein condensates polymerize actin and form filopodia" is out on biorxiv! This work combines cell biology, biochemistry and physics and is a great example how interdisciplinary research advances all fields. We found that the membrane protein PLPPR3, a regulator of filopodia formation in neurons, forms liquid condensates in vitro and in vivo. These condensates have a high affinity for actin, leading to a locally higher concentration of actin monomers compared to the environment. Actin in the condensate subsequently polymerizes, and the preferential partitioning of the monomers sustains this process at the expense of actin in the environment. We identify a novel WH2-like actin affinity domain in PLPPR3. Deletion of this domain lowers actin partitioning in vitro and abolishes the filopodia-inducing effect of PLPPR3 in vivo.
see it on biorxiv here
July 2025: EMBO Fellows' Meeting in Heidelberg. Five days of talking science, meeting many other EMBO fellows and some frisbee throwing.
June 2025: Moved from Humboldt-University to the Eickholt Lab at Charite to continue our project on the protein PLPPR3.
May 2025: Participated in the EMBO Workshop Cellular Matters in beautiful Ascona, Switzerland. Was great to meet up with so many bright minds of the community and to be back in Switzerland for a bit. Also, inspiring feedback and much interest for our upcoming preprint, stay tuned!
September 2024: Invited talk at the workshop "on the interplay between fluids and soft materials" at the University of Oslo, Norway.
June 2025: Moved from Humboldt-University to the Eickholt Lab at Charite to continue our project on the protein PLPPR3.
May 2025: Participated in the EMBO Workshop Cellular Matters in beautiful Ascona, Switzerland. Was great to meet up with so many bright minds of the community and to be back in Switzerland for a bit. Also, inspiring feedback and much interest for our upcoming preprint, stay tuned!
September 2024: Invited talk at the workshop "on the interplay between fluids and soft materials" at the University of Oslo, Norway.