Dresden 2014 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 8: Posters: Active cell and tissue mechanics

BP 8.8: Poster

Montag, 31. März 2014, 17:30–19:30, P3

AFM-based indentation measurements of adult zebrafish spinal cord tissue — •Stephanie Möllmert¹, Veronika Kuscha^1,2, Anna V. Taubenberger¹, Michael Brand^1,2, and Jochen Guck^1,3 — ¹BIOTEC, TU Dresden, Germany — ²CRTD, TU Dresden, Germany — ³Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, UK

Severe injury to the mammalian spinal cord triggers a complex cascade of biochemical signals that eventually lead to the formation of a glial scar. In addition to inhibiting neuronal regrowth and causing loss of motor function, the glial scar has been proposed to act as a mechanical barrier preventing successful axon regeneration. Studies on spinal cord regeneration in adult zebrafish have revealed that zebrafish - in contrast to mammals - are able to successfully regain motor function after complete spinal cord transection. Therefore, the mechanical description of live spinal cord tissue poses an intriguing addition to biochemical analysis and might shed light on previously unknown mechanisms involved in successful spinal cord regeneration or the failure thereof. To efficiently investigate inherent mechanical properties of live spinal cord tissue from adult zebrafish, we have established a reliable protocol to prepare viable transverse acute spinal cord sections. Indentation type atomic force microscopy (AFM) was then employed to determine apparent elastic moduli (Young's moduli) of these sections under near physiological conditions. The presented work serves as a basis to investigate mechanical properties of neuronal tissue in vivo and test their importance in addition to biochemical and genetic factors.