Dresden 2026 – scientific programme
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DY: Fachverband Dynamik und Statistische Physik
DY 50: Focus Session: Controlling Microparticles and Biological Cells by Ultrasound (joint session BP/CPP/DY)
DY 50.2: Talk
Thursday, March 12, 2026, 10:45–11:00, BAR/0106
Shaping sound to tickle cells — •Dimitris Missirlis1,2, Athanasios Athanassiadis1,2, Rom Lerner1,2, and Peer Fischer1,2 — 1Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany — 2Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstr. 29, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
The ability to shape ultrasonic waves precisely is finding growing relevance in biomedical applications, where ultrasound is increasingly used to noninvasively stimulate biological tissues for therapeutic purposes. However, it remains an unsolved question how high-frequency ultrasound can interact with cells to excite biological responses. Our recent work on shaping and controlling ultrasound waves has provided us with a new tool to address the fundamental question how ultrasound interacts with and influences cells. To this end we have developed adaptable setups where we can control relevant ultrasound parameters in vitro as well as in vivo. By systematically examining the critical parameters, we discuss the role of different ultrasonic effects, including thermal effects, radiation forces, and sound-induced shear flows. Further, we discuss both physical and sonogenetic methods that can be used to enhance the coupling of ultrasound to cells.
Keywords: ultrasound; neuromodulation; sonogenetics