Linda Hirst | Homepage

Assistant Professor of Physics

Research Interests

Our group is interested in how biological molecules self-assemble to form complex functional structures. As part of this work we are studying the self-assembly of actin and cross-linking proteins. Actin is a globular protein which forms part of the cell cytoskeleton. By assembling actin in-vitro into filamentous networks and looking at it's network properties we hope to learn more about the different functions of actin based structures in the cell.

Our group also has a significant focus on lipids in the cell membrane. In particular the phase behavior of biologically relevant lipid mixtures and the formation of lipid 'rafts'. This research involves work with giant vesicles, lipid tubules and absorbed bilayers. In addition to these biophysical projects we also work with new liquid-crystal materials for display technologies.

The group uses a wide variety of experimental techniques, although there is significant focus on x-ray diffraction and scattering (both synchrotron and in-house), microscopy/imaging (Confocal microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

Teaching

PHYS 2048, General Physics A

This is a Calculus based, introductory physics course for science majors and consists of lectures, recitation class and laboratory assignments.