Dresden 2020 – scientific programme
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 9: Poster II
BP 9.4: Poster
Monday, March 16, 2020, 17:30–19:30, P2/2OG
Force Generation by Contractile Actomyosin in Elastic Frames — •Johannes Flommersfeld1, David Brückner1, Haiyang Jia2, Petra Schwille2, and Chase Broedersz1 — 1Arnold-Sommerfeld-Center for Theoretical Physics and Center for NanoScience, LMU Munich — 2Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried
Contractile actomyosin gels are crucial for the mechanical properties of cells. Here, we study how the active contraction behavior of actomyosin networks responds to the elasticity of their surroundings. To this end, we design an experimental setup, which couples reconstituted actomyosin networks to 3D-printed elastic structures. Specifically, we use a micropillar array as a force and velocity sensor. These micropillar arrays can be deformed by the activity of the network, which allows for quantitative studies of the static and dynamic properties of contractile actomyosin networks. To understand the observed dynamical behavior of this contractile active gel, we introduce a phenomenological model, which highlights the role of the force-dependent myosin kinetics. Finally, we explore the potential of this setup to perform viscosity measurements of the actomyosin gel.