IFIMAC · Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

SoftPhys
Lab

We study transport phenomena in non-equilibrium systems and cell behavior, at the intersection of soft matter physics and biophysics.

Our research →

What we do

Research

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Non-equilibrium Transport

We study transport in systems driven out of equilibrium by external fields. A key focus is magnetic microrollers and spinners: ferromagnetic particles confined inside lipid vesicles and driven by rotating magnetic fields generate controlled internal flows, rolling motion, and stick-slip dynamics — letting us probe energy dissipation and friction at soft interfaces.

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Membrane Mechanics & Bio-interfaces

We use giant unilamellar vesicles as minimal cell mimics to study how lipid membranes transduce forces, adapt their physical properties (fluidity, excess area, phase coexistence), and interact with solid substrates — from stick-slip adhesion to hydrodynamic lubrication.

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Active Matter

We investigate the collective physics of active systems — assemblies of self-propelled particles or living cells that consume energy to move and generate internal stresses. We explore how activity drives pattern formation, collective motion, and mechanical response in these inherently out-of-equilibrium materials.

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Microfluidics & Synthetic Cell Mimics

We develop double-emulsion microfluidic platforms to fabricate lipid vesicles with precisely controlled size, composition, and cargo. These tools enable our biophysics experiments and open routes toward programmable vesicular materials and minimal artificial cells.

The team

Members

LA

Dr. Laura R. Arriaga

Principal Investigator

JA

Dr. Juan L. Aragones

Principal Investigator

AE

Arin Escobar Ortiz

PhD Student

GG

Galor Geva

PhD Student

Recent work

Publications

2026

Programmable transport of rotating particles in obstacle arrays

Puerto, M., Alexander-Katz, A., Aragones, J. L. & Alvarez, J. V. — Physical Review Research 8, 033071 (2026)

2026

Membrane-Mediated Force Transduction Drives Stick-Slip Motion of Lipid Vesicles

Magrinya, P., Escobar Ortiz, A., Aragones, J. L. & Arriaga, L. R. — Advanced Science, e17219 (2025)

2025

Rolling, sliding, and trapping of driven particles in square obstacle lattices

Geva, G.*, Escobar Ortiz, A.*, Magrinya, P., Llombart, P., Alexander-Katz, A., Arriaga, L. R. & Aragones, J. L. — Physical Review Research 7, L042035 (2025)

2025

Rolling vesicles: From confined rotational flows to surface-enabled motion

Magrinya, P., Palacios-Alonso, P., Llombart, P., Delgado-Buscalioni, R., Alexander-Katz, A., Arriaga, L. R. & Aragones, J. L. — PNAS 122, e2424236122 (2025)

2022

Double-emulsion templated lipid vesicles as minimal cell mimics for assembling tissue-like vesicular materials

Arriaga, L. R. et al.

Latest updates

News

Nov 2022

Arin joined the group. Welcome!

Aug 2022

Prof. Alfredo Alexander-Katz (MIT) arrived for a short sabbatical.

Feb 2022

Dr. Caitlin Howell arrived for a sabbatical stay.

Get in touch

Contact

Address C. Francisco Tomás y Valiente 7
Madrid, Spain
Institution IFIMAC
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Laura R. Arriaga [email protected]
Juan L. Aragones [email protected]