David Zwicker

David Zwicker serves as a Max Planck Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization in Göttingen, Germany, where he heads the Theory of Biological Fluids group. His research investigates how soft and fluid-like biological materials achieve precise spatial and temporal organization through physical principles.

Dr. Zwicker's work centers on biomolecular condensates, pattern formation, and smart materials design. His group employs statistical physics, dynamical systems theory, and fluid dynamics to model biological processes including phase separation in cells, active matter systems, and nasal airflow mechanics. Current projects explore how phase transitions might enable cellular information processing and how chemical activity drives droplet self-propulsion.

Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal strong focus on phase separation dynamics in biological contexts, with emerging themes in active condensates, multicomponent mixtures, and computational modeling tools. His group develops open-source software like flory for phase diagram analysis and py-pde for partial differential equations.

Scientific recognition includes:

• ERC Starting Grant for biomolecular condensates research

Dr. Zwicker leads an active research team currently comprising postdoctoral researchers Guido Kusters and Filipe Thewes (joined October 2024), with ongoing recruitment for ERC-funded projects. His group maintains strong computational focus while collaborating across physics and biology disciplines. The Theory of Biological Fluids group operates within the Max Planck Institute's Department of Fluid Dynamics, utilizing advanced modeling to bridge theoretical physics and cellular biology.