Berlin 2008 – wissenschaftliches Programm
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 1: Cell Migration and Tissue Dynamics
BP 1.3: Vortrag
Montag, 25. Februar 2008, 10:45–11:00, C 243
A generalized Laplace law describes cell and tissue shape — •Ilka Bischofs1, Franziska Klein2, Dirk Lehnert2, Martin Bastmeyer2, and Ulrich Schwarz3 — 1Department of Bioengineering, UC Berkeley, USA — 2Institute of Zoology I, University of Karlsruhe, Germany — 3BIOQUANT, University of Heidelberg, Germany
Cues from adhesion geometry, tension and elasticity are important decision factors controlling cell and tissue differentiation. Here we study biological shape determinants across cell and tissue scales. Quantitative microscopy reveals that in both cases edges spanning adhesion sites form circular arcs with a distance dependent curvature. Computer simulations suggest that this is a universal result from isometric tension generated in a filamentous network whose mechanics is controlled by a cable-like, asymmetric response to tension and compression. The model yields a generalized Laplace law that maps onto an elastic contour model of competing line and surface tension. Acto-myosin inhibition experiments in conjunction with model fitting are then used to address how cells control shape by actively modulating motor tension and contour elasticity.