https://www.weirichlab.com/community daily 0.75 2025-02-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ce435d6bea1ed00016ba287/1558964652247-5MWXNMFZVOPGE4TY6U2Q/MHeiderich_ReflexionenZwei-05-copy.jpg Community, Diversity, and Inclusion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/e49d6e1f-356f-460b-8774-9972d64a76ef/IMG_6717.jpeg Community, Diversity, and Inclusion - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/2f9d7821-b55a-45c6-803a-a01187a9f9e1/IMG_4981.jpeg Community, Diversity, and Inclusion - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.weirichlab.com/contact daily 0.75 2025-11-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ce435d6bea1ed00016ba287/1558964652247-5MWXNMFZVOPGE4TY6U2Q/MHeiderich_ReflexionenZwei-05-copy.jpg Contact https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/1604779768137-ZAL2TTVB73R17XSVNMP9/tactoidpaws3-01.png Contact Clemson tactoids! https://www.weirichlab.com/group daily 0.75 2026-07-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/5406225e-43b4-4ed5-bbf9-99ae2b7c91a3/group2025Sep.jpg Group - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/1596944822277-8W3F1ARC50MDFKR60EFR/photo_klw.jpg Group - Kim Weirich Assistant Professor Materials Science & Engineering Faculty Scholar, Clemson University School of Health Research weirich{at}clemson.edu University of California, Santa Barbara Ph.D., Biomolecular Science & Engineering B.A., Physics and Linguistics University of Chicago Postdoc, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and the James Franck Institute https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/9aa9aaec-b1b5-41c1-bc33-339eb727a39f/caf_picture.jpg Group - Carolyn Feigeles Graduate Student Researcher, Materials Science & Engineering Lafayette College B.S., Chemical Engineering DoD SMART Fellowship (2025-), Jennings Fellowship (Clemson MSE, 2025), Kentwool Fellowship (Clemson MSE, 2026), APS DBIO Travel Award (2026) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/a3e29594-7da3-45c2-8a48-f0e97076a882/mj_photo.jpg Group - Megan Janquart Graduate Student Researcher, Materials Science & Engineering University of Wisconsin, Madison B.S., Materials Science & Engineering Graduate Diversity Doctoral Fellowship (Clemson University, 2024-2026), APS DSOFT Future Investigator Travel Award, APS Braslau Family Travel Award (2026), AATCC Connelly/Perkins Graduate Fellowship (2026) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/713a9291-144a-42dd-8ff5-7fd1a58cc1b8/photo_ccs.jpg Group - Citlaly Cruz Santiago Undergraduate Researcher, Bioengineering https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/ad5735ae-f2dc-430b-b505-aebe6d04394d/be_pic.jpg Group - Ben Eubanks Undergraduate Researcher, Bioengineering Summer Creative Inquiry and Undergraduate Research Grant (2025, 2026) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/956e1a1c-16f3-46cc-97d3-220e2b598db6/photo_ol.jpg Group - Olivia Laukat Undergraduate Researcher, Bioengineering NSF REU at NC State (2025) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/c8baec35-b6a2-4e23-8fce-599d54bd90a8/photo_jr.jpg Group - Jackson Reinhardt Undergraduate Researcher, Biochemistry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/ef001b4e-e837-49af-8da1-61c6233f0baa/photo_rw.jpg Group - Rachel White Undergraduate Researcher Center for Energy and Environmental Solutions Intern visiting from South Carolina State University, Biology https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/dfddcd5f-31fd-4af1-8eb2-6eaade77d1c8/mw_pic.jpg Group - Madison Williams Undergraduate Researcher Center for Energy and Environmental Solutions Intern visiting from South Carolina State University, Biology https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/1e1799cc-4581-4d2f-96ca-c217c1fef3d4/group_2025summer.jpg Group - Make it stand out Summer 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/31a3d667-e5f0-4777-ba4e-19c7dc21f215/microscope_welcome.jpg Group - Make it stand out Welcome to the lab, Microscope!!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/f345b0a1-59aa-4175-92f0-9ffd4552b063/group_Nov23.jpg Group - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/30904744-85b4-4274-a836-a4ba09a51c5e/group_23_02.png Group - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/e3eb8247-b38b-4365-aadf-46fd335c15d0/group_2022.jpg Group - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/1613359994078-RH78LCWSNMM6A31PGPZZ/group_202102.jpg Group https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/1601099265332-MJKOLHYGZ5Z3P591YQZM/group_2020Aug.jpg Group https://www.weirichlab.com/research daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ce435d6bea1ed00016ba287/1558964652247-5MWXNMFZVOPGE4TY6U2Q/MHeiderich_ReflexionenZwei-05-copy.jpg Research https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/945ebac0-de3d-4b14-a044-5f0bc6cf06d3/FUS-actin_cf.jpg Research - Capillary bundling and network remodeling We are interested in methods of how biopolymer filaments self-assemble into microstructures. We investigate mechanisms of filament bundling, network formation, and network remodeling induced by biopolymer condensates. We found that condensates can adsorb to biopolymer filaments and spread like liquid droplets on fibers. These condensates bundle filaments through capillary bridges, and can induce network remodeling through coalescence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/16bc66f0-d655-4df3-8912-418bf0b983ec/actin_cf.png Research - Regulation of network contractility Actin is an important structural material in cells. Actin filaments, together with protein cross-linkers, self-assemble into various microstructures which support distinct physiological functions. We develop programmable cross-linkers, using DNA and protein binding domains, to investigate the role of cross-linker properties in regulating actin network microstructure and contractility. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/55e4307a-fc4c-4652-a47c-cedf3929aac3/PP-11_mj.jpg Research - Microplastics and biomaterials Microplastics are ever-growing environmental concern, we are interested in how microplastics interact with biopolymer materials. We are interested in how microplastics incorporate into the materials and impact shape and mechanics. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/e5afc9a3-689d-47bc-b2ee-99c9435ea871/pp_mj.jpeg Research - Forming and characterizing microplastics Enviromental microplastics have many shapes, sizes, and polymer types. We explore controlled methods of forming environmentally relevant microplastics and nanoplastics in the lab through mechanical abrasion of textiles and particles. We develop methods to characterize the particles and label them for microscopy experiments. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/1604651648820-FPYM21VSRDD8KZSF77BK/nem_klw.jpg Research - Phase separation in biopolymer mixtures Complex mixtures of dense macromolecules have rich phase behavior. We are particularly intrigued by mixtures of biopolymers with very different rigidities. We investigate phase separation, liquid crystal formation, and how stresses propagate and relax in these complex fluids. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/1604630414962-VKR1MORF0H9Y0V0QB2MA/phasediagram.jpg Research - Biopolymer liquid crystal condensates Liquid condensed phases of macromolecules, from membraneless organelles to coacervates, are accelerating research areas in fields as diverse as cell biology and soft matter. We are particularly fascinated by droplets made of biopolymer filaments, actin, which have anisotropy that derive from the filament shape. These anisotropic liquids, called liquid crystals, form spindle-shaped droplets known as tactoids. This the most microscopic and scientific Clemson football! Among many things, we are interested in how the microstructure and composition influences the material properties of these intriguing liquid crystals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/1604635994889-CEX0QP3TZCUWN0JKE1XM/selforganization-01.jpg Research - Self-organization in active materials We recently developed actin tactoids into a minimal model system that captures the key aspects of mitosis—self-organized center finding and division—using just four protein components! We are interested in how geometry, enzymatic activity, and material properties control self-organization of nanostructures in anisotropic droplets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/1604630499376-431SGRIRJ4U7S0M5OW5Z/flowers-01.png Research - Active, shape changing materials Inspired by molecular liquid crystals, where interactions with colloid inclusions can drive changes in the liquid crystal structure, we investigate colloids interactions with biopolymer tactoids. Using “active” colloids from biology, we recently created composite droplets which divide themselves into two equal droplets. We are interested in elucidating physical mechanisms that underlie shape change in confined, nano-structured materials such as composite and active droplets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/1604632315222-9JW4X56RERE3SEKGZD8J/confinement-01.jpg Research - Polymers in nanoconfinement Biological polymers in the cytoplasm and nucleus exist in densely crowded environments. We are developing new systems to investigate polymers in nanoconfinement, where the polymer dynamics and associated biophysical processes may have different behavior than in the absence of confinement. https://www.weirichlab.com/publications daily 0.75 2026-07-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ce435d6bea1ed00016ba287/1558964652247-5MWXNMFZVOPGE4TY6U2Q/MHeiderich_ReflexionenZwei-05-copy.jpg Publications https://www.weirichlab.com/lab daily 1.0 2022-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ce435d6bea1ed00016ba287/1558964652247-5MWXNMFZVOPGE4TY6U2Q/MHeiderich_ReflexionenZwei-05-copy.jpg About the lab https://www.weirichlab.com/gallery daily 0.75 2025-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ce435d6bea1ed00016ba287/1558964652247-5MWXNMFZVOPGE4TY6U2Q/MHeiderich_ReflexionenZwei-05-copy.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/fcb5ffbe-4196-4a73-993f-bd96e73c81f3/IMG_6872.jpeg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/73df41fd-80b7-4537-8cb9-7ae400ea9cf5/IMG_6873.jpeg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/fc960524-19ca-4a65-869f-c4af0c885b90/Fish.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/37ec73c5-4f61-48dc-bda9-56bd22fb0299/ghost_jpeg-1_Cropped.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/ba7b129e-bd68-4441-982e-73ae8ffd5780/RedHeartTactoids.png Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/bdab3e2e-ec65-4561-b48b-5420a3cd32a3/IMG_6837%281%29.jpeg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/1633670914354-AY5HPTWCKYD9EYQU5H70/firstTactoids.png Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/1633669307314-22V9AL5LKWW2TY710S35/firstLongActin.png Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/1633663256622-5EPYX62NPSRI2PW2HS3T/firstClemsonActin.png Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/1633662713909-YARI17GTWJ8EMRC779YQ/emulsions_tree.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/1650403219656-MU9X5TBRSU8SCWJMNSRR/TEM_1.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/b19eb8cf-0f00-4226-a55d-216101a857b6/applepi.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/319609b0-9cff-4688-8850-8c4eb736df5a/microscopehalloween.jpeg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/8a812729-9b33-49a6-b211-f709cb46a47e/condensatePasta.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/b04e469b-b6b5-495a-883e-3337b46da63a/tape_alien_01.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/946b60a0-5e75-4b38-be0c-7a16e3bcf534/monster.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/c4e4fb7d-ce9d-464e-8abb-0ae23cde2ae9/microscope_welcome.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/3dfb69c5-46d5-4574-9272-aecd95d76b31/photo_micro1day.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/d1195320-a537-4c01-9eba-2614ef448c74/photo_micro2day.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/ab6f6211-c60d-42d5-9b73-96e806c70f0a/micro_complete.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2ed09079a63819bf320406/f3848f11-6d49-46d6-b958-e60be6c105c4/Micro_group.jpg Gallery