Regensburg 2010 – scientific programme
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 37: Biomaterials
BP 37.8: Talk
Friday, March 26, 2010, 12:15–12:30, H43
Micromechanical Properties and Structure of the Pericellular Coat of Living Cells — •Heike Böhm1, Tabea Mundinger1, Valentin Hagel1, Uwe Rauch2, Jennifer Curtis3, and Joachim Spatz1 — 1Max-Planck-Institute for Metals Research, Department New Materials & Biosystems & University of Heidelberg, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Heisenbergstr. 3, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany — 2Vessel Wall Biology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Biomedical Center, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden — 3School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, 837 State Street, Atlanta, GA
Most mammalian cells are enveloped by a coat of polysaccharides and proteins, the pericellular coat (PCC). It plays a vital role in biological processes such as adhesion and proliferation. The PCC's backbone is composed of hyaluronan (HA), a highly hydrated polysaccharide that anchors the coat to the cell membrane. The molecular interaction of hyaluronan with different HA binding proteins determines the architecture of the PCC. Their mesoscopic arrangement influences not only the cell's perception of its environment but also its ability to withstand compression. This is especially important for our cells of interest: chondrocytes living and maintaing the load-bearing cartilage. In order to study the mesoscopic strucutre of the PCC, we employ a toolbox of different biophysical techniques, including confocal microscopy, particle tracking microrheology [1] and adhesive nanostructured surfaces. T [1] H. Boehm, T. A. Mundinger, C. H. J. Boehm, V. Hagel, U. Rauch, J. P. Spatz, J. E. Curtis, Soft-Matter 2009, DOI: 10.1039/B905574F.