Berlin 2005 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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CPP: Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 7: SYMPOSIUM: Polymer networks and beyond: From molecular structure to materials and biological functions II

CPP 7.6: Vortrag

Samstag, 5. März 2005, 12:30–12:45, TU C243

Optical Deformability as Cell Marker: Exploiting the Link between Cytoskeletal Structure and Biological Function — •Jochen Guck, Susanne Ebert, Bryan Lincoln, Maren Romeyke, Frank Sauer, Stefan Schinkinger, Kort Travis, and Falk Wottawah — Universität Leipzig, Abteilung Physik Weicher Materie, Linnéstrasse 5, 04103 Leipzig

The cytoskeleton, an internal polymer network, determines the mechanical strength and morphology of cells. This cytoskeleton evolves during the normal differentiation of cells, is involved in many cellular functions, and is characteristically altered in many diseases, including cancer. We can exploit the deformability of the cytoskeleton as a link between molecular structure and biological function to distinguish between different cells using a microfluidic optical stretcher. We find that optical deformability is sensitive enough to monitor the subtle changes during the progression of cells from normal to cancerous and even metastatic state. We can also distinguish stem cells from more differentiated cells. The surprisingly low numbers of cells required for this distinction reflects the tight regulation of the cytoskeleton by the cell. This suggests using optical deformability as an inherent cell marker for diagnosis of disease and sorting of stem cells from heterogeneous populations, obviating the need for external markers or special preparation.