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Professor Sergi Garcia-Manyes
Professor Sergi Garcia-Manyes

Professor Sergi Garcia-Manyes

Professor of Biophysics

  • Mechanics of Life Leverhulme DSP & BiPAS CDT Director
  • Professor of Physics and Structural Biology
  • Head of Group

Research interests

  • Biomedical and life sciences
  • Physics

Biography

Prof. Sergi Garcia-Maynes' profile at the Thomas Young Centre

Biography

Prof. Sergi Garcia-Manyes graduated in Chemistry (BSc) from the University of Barcelona in 2000 with Honors. He got his MSc in Analytical Chemistry in 2001 and obtained his PhD in Physical Chemistry from the same University in 2005 under the supervision of Prof. Fausto Sanz. His PhD work focused on the study of the nanomechanical properties of well-defined surfaces using SPM techniques, mainly AFM. These studies gained insight into the basic elastic and plastic deformation properties of a wide variety of substrates, spanning from ionic crystals to HOPG and lipid bilayers, at the nanoscale. During his PhD studies, he undertook short research visits to the Materials Science Division of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (California) in the group of Prof. Miquel Salmeron and to the Biology Department of Columbia University (New York), in the group of Prof. Julio Fernandez.

Shortly after completing his PhD, Sergi joined the group of Prof. Julio Fernandez at Columbia University, firstly as a postdoctoral researcher and then as a research associate. From 2005 until 2012 he used the newly developed single molecule force-clamp technique to study the conformational dynamics of single proteins during their individual folding pathways and to elucidate the effect of a mechanical force on the outcome of a chemical reaction, at the single bond level.  His research has been published in several papers in the leading journals of the field.

In 2012 Sergi established his laboratory at King’s College London, where he is a tenured Professor in Biophysics in the Department of Physics and a group leader in Structural Biology in the Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics.  His multidisciplinary research group is composed of a mixture of talented PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, the aim of which is to understand how mechanical force affects the mechanical stability of cellular membranes and also to elucidate how individual proteins equilibrate under the effect of a calibrated mechanical force. Sergi was recipient of the 2012 award of the Spanish Biophysical Society. He is currently funded by the European Union through three grants from the Marie Curie Action, by the BBSRC research council, by the Royal Society, by the British Heart Foundation and by Fight for Sight. He is recipient of the prestigious EPSRC Early Career Fellowship. 

Research

The main focus of Sergi's research is to understand the molecular mechanisms that confer mechanical stability to well-defined systems, which is a major challenge in modern physics, chemistry and biology.

For example, while cell mechanics are known to play a decisive role in determining cell shape and also in endo- and exocytosis, the chemical origin of the membrane mechanical resistance remains largely unknown. Using force-spectroscopy AFM, the team can decipher the molecular determinants that provide lipid bilayers with unexpectedly high mechanical stabilities.

Most importantly, Sergi's team investigate the molecular mechanisms by which proteins equilibrate under the effect of a constant stretching force. We use the newly developed single molecule force-clamp spectroscopy technique to elucidate, with exquisite sub-Ǻngström sensitivity, the dynamics of proteins as they unfold, collapse and refold in response to a mechanical force. Sergi is most interested in examining the conformational dynamics of a single refolding protein during its individual folding trajectory from highly extended states.

Finally, they use a force-clamp assay to examine, at the single bond level, how force affects the chemical mechanisms of disulfide bond reduction in proteins exposed to mechanical forces. Within a multidisciplinary approach, they conduct a series of innovative experiments to directly probe the effect of force on the function of an individual folding polypeptide and also the mechanisms by which mechanical forces modulate chemical reactions. The force spectroscopy data is providing a new view that will help guide the development of theories on the dynamics of folding and ab-initio studies of a chemical reaction placed under a stretching force, of common occurrence in nature.

http://garcia-manyeslab.org/

    Research

    ARTICLE Microscope
    Biological Physics & Soft Matter

    The Biological Physics and Soft Matter group aims to use bespoke technology and analytical methods borrowed from the Physical Sciences to address important fundamental questions in Biology.

    Status not set
    LCN image-01
    London Centre for Nanotechnology

    The London Centre for Nanotechnology is a UK-based multidisciplinary enterprise operating at the forefront of science and technology. Its purpose is to solve global problems in information processing, healthcare, energy and the environment through the application of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

    Status not set
    OILRIG
    Lipids and Membranes Research Interest Group

    A Lipids and Membranes Research Interest Group

    Status not set
    cancer cell banner
    Cancer Biology

    Cancer Biology

    Status not set
    Cells
    King’s MechanoBiology Centre (KMBC)

    The King’s MechanoBiology Centre gives a common platform for researchers across different disciplines with complementary interests in mechanobiology

    Status not set

    News

    Fundamental research into proteins in the cell membrane scoops BBSRC Pioneer Award

    The first-of-its-kind exploratory study will examine how force impacts assembly for critical proteins in the body.

    Thumbnail 780x440

    New technique to studying the movements of proteins could reveal insight into age-related diseases

    Physicists captured new data on the hidden complexity of protein folding

    protein-folding

    King's awarded multi-disciplinary Mechanobiology doctoral training scheme by Leverhulme Trust

    The Mechanics of Life Doctoral Scholarship Programme will draw on King’s research expertise in mechanobiology

    ARTICLE DNA

    King's Centre for the Physical Science of Life celebrates its launch

    The new centre ushers in a new era for physical science

    Paula Booth at the Centre fro Physical Science of Life launch

    Nanostrand newsletter available for download

    Nanostrand is the newsletter for the Photonics & Nanotechnology Group and the Biological Physics and Soft Matter Group in the Department of Physics.

    Photonics & Nanotechnology Group

    Researchers awarded £3.5m to study how certain cells use and resist force

    Researchers have long understood that biochemical signals affect cells, and recently it has been recognised that mechanical forces regulate a wide variety of...

    An airway bronchoconstricting

    Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships awarded to academic staff in Departments of Physics and Mathematics

    Two Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships have been awarded to academic staff in the Faculty of Natural & Mathematical Sciences.

    Graphs and equations in blue

    Events

    25OctForce Talk - Yildiz - Web Thumbnail

    Force Talk: Professor Ahmet Yildiz - The Mechanism and Regulation of Microtubule Motors

    A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor Ahmet Yildiz

    Please note: this event has passed.

    08NovForce Talk - Ivaska - Web Thumbnail

    Force Talk: Professor Johanna Ivaska - Uncoupling cell responses and stiffness

    A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor Johanna Ivaska

    Please note: this event has passed.

    11OctForce Talk - Ngo - Web Thumbnail

    Force Talk: Professor John T. Ngo - Synthetic Mechanobiology: probing and programming how cells sense and transmit force-based cues

    A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor John T. Ngo

    Please note: this event has passed.

    05OctForce Talk - Roberto Mayor

    Force Talk: Professor Roberto Mayor - Hydraulic control of embryo development

    Force Talk - Professor Roberto Mayor - Hydraulic control of embryo development

    Please note: this event has passed.

    05AprForce Talk - Discher - Web Thumbnail

    Force Talk: Professor Dennis Discher - Scaling concepts in molecular mechanobiology: matrix, nuclear lamins, and fat

    A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor Dennis Discher

    Please note: this event has passed.

    25JanForce Talk - Cynthia Reinhart-King - Web Thumbnail

    Force Talk: Professor Cynthia A. Reinhart-King - Phenotypic Heterogeneities: Parsing apart migration phenotypes in cancer

    A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor Cindy (Cynthia) A. Reinhart-King

    Please note: this event has passed.

    22FebForce Talk - Xavier Trepat - Web Thumbnail

    Force Talk: Professor Xavier Trepat - Epithelial mechanobiology from the bottom up

    A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor Xavier Trepat on Epithelial mechanobiology from the bottom up

    Please note: this event has passed.

    22MarForce Talk - Ruprecht - Web Thumbnail

    Force Talk: Dr Verena Ruprecht - Cell and tissue mechano-plasticity in the early embryo

    A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Dr Verena Ruprecht on Cell and tissue mechano-plasticity in the early...

    Please note: this event has passed.

    08MarForce Talk - Grashoff - Web Thumbnail

    Force Talk: Professor Carsten Grashoff - Exploring Cell Adhesion Mechanics on Molecular Scales

    A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor Carsten Grashoff on Exploring Cell Adhesion Mechanics on...

    Please note: this event has passed.

    19AprForce Talk - Dupont - Web Thumbnail

    Force Talk: Professor Sirio Dupont - Mitochondrial dynamics as a new mechanics-to-biology transduction module

    A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor Sirio Dupont on Mitochondrial dynamics as a new...

    Please note: this event has passed.

      Research

      ARTICLE Microscope
      Biological Physics & Soft Matter

      The Biological Physics and Soft Matter group aims to use bespoke technology and analytical methods borrowed from the Physical Sciences to address important fundamental questions in Biology.

      Status not set
      LCN image-01
      London Centre for Nanotechnology

      The London Centre for Nanotechnology is a UK-based multidisciplinary enterprise operating at the forefront of science and technology. Its purpose is to solve global problems in information processing, healthcare, energy and the environment through the application of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

      Status not set
      OILRIG
      Lipids and Membranes Research Interest Group

      A Lipids and Membranes Research Interest Group

      Status not set
      cancer cell banner
      Cancer Biology

      Cancer Biology

      Status not set
      Cells
      King’s MechanoBiology Centre (KMBC)

      The King’s MechanoBiology Centre gives a common platform for researchers across different disciplines with complementary interests in mechanobiology

      Status not set

      News

      Fundamental research into proteins in the cell membrane scoops BBSRC Pioneer Award

      The first-of-its-kind exploratory study will examine how force impacts assembly for critical proteins in the body.

      Thumbnail 780x440

      New technique to studying the movements of proteins could reveal insight into age-related diseases

      Physicists captured new data on the hidden complexity of protein folding

      protein-folding

      King's awarded multi-disciplinary Mechanobiology doctoral training scheme by Leverhulme Trust

      The Mechanics of Life Doctoral Scholarship Programme will draw on King’s research expertise in mechanobiology

      ARTICLE DNA

      King's Centre for the Physical Science of Life celebrates its launch

      The new centre ushers in a new era for physical science

      Paula Booth at the Centre fro Physical Science of Life launch

      Nanostrand newsletter available for download

      Nanostrand is the newsletter for the Photonics & Nanotechnology Group and the Biological Physics and Soft Matter Group in the Department of Physics.

      Photonics & Nanotechnology Group

      Researchers awarded £3.5m to study how certain cells use and resist force

      Researchers have long understood that biochemical signals affect cells, and recently it has been recognised that mechanical forces regulate a wide variety of...

      An airway bronchoconstricting

      Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships awarded to academic staff in Departments of Physics and Mathematics

      Two Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships have been awarded to academic staff in the Faculty of Natural & Mathematical Sciences.

      Graphs and equations in blue

      Events

      25OctForce Talk - Yildiz - Web Thumbnail

      Force Talk: Professor Ahmet Yildiz - The Mechanism and Regulation of Microtubule Motors

      A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor Ahmet Yildiz

      Please note: this event has passed.

      08NovForce Talk - Ivaska - Web Thumbnail

      Force Talk: Professor Johanna Ivaska - Uncoupling cell responses and stiffness

      A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor Johanna Ivaska

      Please note: this event has passed.

      11OctForce Talk - Ngo - Web Thumbnail

      Force Talk: Professor John T. Ngo - Synthetic Mechanobiology: probing and programming how cells sense and transmit force-based cues

      A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor John T. Ngo

      Please note: this event has passed.

      05OctForce Talk - Roberto Mayor

      Force Talk: Professor Roberto Mayor - Hydraulic control of embryo development

      Force Talk - Professor Roberto Mayor - Hydraulic control of embryo development

      Please note: this event has passed.

      05AprForce Talk - Discher - Web Thumbnail

      Force Talk: Professor Dennis Discher - Scaling concepts in molecular mechanobiology: matrix, nuclear lamins, and fat

      A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor Dennis Discher

      Please note: this event has passed.

      25JanForce Talk - Cynthia Reinhart-King - Web Thumbnail

      Force Talk: Professor Cynthia A. Reinhart-King - Phenotypic Heterogeneities: Parsing apart migration phenotypes in cancer

      A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor Cindy (Cynthia) A. Reinhart-King

      Please note: this event has passed.

      22FebForce Talk - Xavier Trepat - Web Thumbnail

      Force Talk: Professor Xavier Trepat - Epithelial mechanobiology from the bottom up

      A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor Xavier Trepat on Epithelial mechanobiology from the bottom up

      Please note: this event has passed.

      22MarForce Talk - Ruprecht - Web Thumbnail

      Force Talk: Dr Verena Ruprecht - Cell and tissue mechano-plasticity in the early embryo

      A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Dr Verena Ruprecht on Cell and tissue mechano-plasticity in the early...

      Please note: this event has passed.

      08MarForce Talk - Grashoff - Web Thumbnail

      Force Talk: Professor Carsten Grashoff - Exploring Cell Adhesion Mechanics on Molecular Scales

      A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor Carsten Grashoff on Exploring Cell Adhesion Mechanics on...

      Please note: this event has passed.

      19AprForce Talk - Dupont - Web Thumbnail

      Force Talk: Professor Sirio Dupont - Mitochondrial dynamics as a new mechanics-to-biology transduction module

      A public seminar as part of the Force Talk series exploring mechanobiology, given by Professor Sirio Dupont on Mitochondrial dynamics as a new...

      Please note: this event has passed.