Dresden 2026 – scientific programme
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 7: Poster Session I
BP 7.32: Poster
Monday, March 9, 2026, 15:00–17:00, P5
Forces in oocyte deformation analyzed via shear flow deformability cytometry — •Merle Duchêne1, Bart Vos1, Jordan Dieter Groh1, Pratima Sawant2, and Timo Betz1 — 1Third Institute of Physics - Biophysics, Georg August University Göttingen — 2Institute for X-Ray Physics, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Oocytes form the origin of many developing organisms and display distinct mechanical responses compared to smaller somatic cells. Their nuclei are unusually deformable, mimicking whole-cell shape during external compression. Apart from chemical signaling, mechanosensing in the nucleus plays a central role in gene expression. However, the forces involved in oocyte deformation are not quantified and still poorly understood.
Here, we aim to employ microfluidic methods to investigate deformations of cells and nuclei in a well-controlled, high-throughput method via shear flow deformability cytometry, commonly referred to as real-time deformability cytometry (RT-DC). We modified this method for oocytes, by first generating a preliminary channel design using COMSOL simulations. To evaluate device performance after fabrication, polyacrylamide beads are studied and provide a reference for estimating oocyte behavior in the same geometry. Finally, oocyte deformation is recorded to obtain mechanical properties. This helps us to better understand forces involved oocyte development and migration on its journey from the ovaries to an embryo.
Keywords: shear flow deformability cytometry; oocytes; microfluidics