Dresden 2006 – scientific programme

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AKB: Biologische Physik

AKB 27: Cell Mechanics II

AKB 27.3: Talk

Friday, March 31, 2006, 12:00–12:15, ZEU 260

Investigating the Minimuscle — •Dan Strehle, Brian Gentry, Michael Gögler, David Smith, Katja Taute, and Josef Käs — Soft Matter Physics, Universität Leipzig, Linnéstraße 5, 04103 Leipzig

Skeletal muscle cells are made up of sarcomeres which align to form myofibrils. Myofibrils are the essential component of the muscular contraction mechanism. Its operation is determined by the interaction of actin filaments and myosin mini-filaments. Single myosin proteins have been extensively studied with optical tweezers. We are investigating the properties of the entire contraction structure. Thin actin bundles attached to polystyrene beads are exposed to myosin mini-filaments in ATP-depleted conditions. Upon addition of ATP myosin starts operating and the movement of the beads held in optical tweezers is observed.