Berlin 2005 – wissenschaftliches Programm
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AKB: Biologische Physik
AKB 100: Poster Session I
AKB 100.34: Poster
Samstag, 5. März 2005, 16:45–18:45, Poster TU D
Form follows function in living cells — •Jens Gerdelmann1,2, Stefan Hammerschmidt3, Hubert Wirtz3, and Josef Käs1 — 1Universität Leipzig, Institut für Experimentelle Physik I, Physik der weichen Materie, Linnéstrasse 5, 04103 Leipzig — 2Universität Leipzig, Paul-Flechsig-Institut für Hirnforschung, Abt. Neuroanatomie, Jahnallee 59, 04109 Leipzig — 3Universität Leipzig, Abt. Pneumologie, Johannisallee 32, 04103 Leipzig
Probing living cells with an atomic force microscope to determine their mechanical properties is an established method. It has already been used to characterize the role of different cytoskeletal elements in the cells elasticity. In these former studies actin microfilaments have been identifies as a key player. We applied substances onto lung cells that are thought to lower these cells resistance to stretching (to lower the risk of respiratory stress syndrome) and measured their elasticity. Having found no direct elastic change, we are now focusing on initial results that indicate a morphological change, i.e. a flattening, in treated versus untreated cells. We propose that the treated cells have undergone a structural alteration, i.e. a loss of cell volume through flattening, to compensate their minor cytoskeletal depolymerisation. This reduction of the cells volumes would increase the actin concentration within the cell and thus assure the mechanical stability of the cells. Further results will show to what extent there is a delicate balance between elasticity and cell morphology.