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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 7: Poster Session I
BP 7.41: Poster
Montag, 9. März 2026, 15:00–17:00, P5
Mechanical and Viscoelastic Characterisation of Giardia duodenalis Trophozoites Using SCFS and nDMA — •Johannes Mischo1,2, Maike Derenek1, Markus Bischoff1, Karin Jacobs2, Chistian Klotz3, Anton Aebischer3, and Philipp Jung1 — 1Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany — 2Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany — 3Department of Infectious Diseases, Unit 16, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
Giardia duodenalis trophozoites use a ligand-independent, mechanically dominated suction or clutching mechanism mediated by the ventral disc to resist intestinal shear [1]. Little is known about the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the cell. We used single-cell force spectroscopy (SCFS) on individual trophozoites to record detachment force-distance profiles. These datasets provide mechanical information of whole-cell deformation during pull-off, including contributions from the cell body, ventral disc and ventrolateral flange. Complementarily, we measured cell-body elasticity by nano-dynamic mechanical analysis (nDMA). Ventral disc and flange are inaccessible to nDMA because stationary cells keep them in surface contact. We observed single-digit kPa storage and loss moduli with a negative correlation between stiffness and approach speed. Together, SCFS and nDMA provide complementary mechanical information and a framework for understanding how Giardia balances elasticity and structural rigidity during its adhesion cycle and survival in the small intestine.
[1] Gunaratnam et al. Nanoscale, 2024, 16 (14), 7145-7153.
Keywords: Giardia Duodenalis Trophozoites; Elasticity; Stiffness; Single-cell Force Spectroscopy (SCFS); Nano-dynamic Mechanical Analysis (nDMA)