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AKB: Biologische Physik

AKB 15: Cell Mechanics and Rheology

AKB 15.1: Invited Talk

Friday, March 4, 2005, 11:30–12:00, TU H2013

Cellular mechanics investigations with holographic optical tweezers — •Jennifer Curtis, Christian Schmitz, and Joachim Spatz — Biophysical Chemistry Group, Institute for Physical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 253, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany

Cells utilize exquisite control mechanisms for the production and organization of various molecules to maintain their own mechanical viability. How cells manifest this control and how these materials enable the mechanical outcome are key questions. One example is the biochemical control of the actin cortex and actin stress fibers for cell motility. Another is the expression of the gel-like pericellular matrix for gross modulation of surface adhesion. Another is the spontaneous fusion of vesicles to finely adjust and maintain plasma membrane tension. This talk will present the development and use of holographic optical tweezers (HOTs) for several cell biophysical applications including studies of the actin cortex, the pericellular matrix, and the membrane reservoir in the context of both their physical and biological questions. In particular, HOTs ability to selectively position measurement probes at the cell surface, the measurement of local tension and/or viscoelasticity at several points simultaneously, and the non-invasive detection of cell components will be described.