Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 27: Physics of Cells III

BP 27.3: Talk

Thursday, March 17, 2011, 14:45–15:00, ZEU 250

(contribution withdrawn) Novel micro-analytical techniques for diagnostics of malaria infected red blood cells — •Jakob Mauritz, Clemens Kaminski, Teresa Tiffert, and Virgilio Lew — Universität Cambridge, Vereinigtes Königreich

We report on the application of advanced microanalytical techniques for the study of Plasmodium falciparum infected red blood cells. Using confocal microscopy, volume and shape changes of living red blood cells can be measured at femtolitre resolution throughout the intraerythrocytic infection cycle of the parasite. The cytomechanical properties are studied using a novel optical stretcher device constructed by the authors, which enables individual infected cells to be trapped and manipulated optomechanically in microfluidic channels. Finally, novel results of X-ray microanalysis and fluorescence lifetime imaging for the quantification of haemoglobin and ion content and concentrations are reported on. In their combination, these methods offer unique insight into the homeostatic behaviour of malarial blood cells, providing an unprecedented wealth of information. The data are compared to predictions from a detailed physiological model of the homeostasis and volume regulation during the infection cycle of the red blood cell.