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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 15: Biopolymer Solutions and Networks

BP 15.1: Vortrag

Dienstag, 27. März 2007, 15:15–15:30, H44

Protein Network Formation and Manipulation in Microfluidic Devices — •Heather Evans, Enkhtuul Surenjav, Craig Priest, Ralf Seemann, Stephan Herminghaus, and Thomas Pfohl — Max Planck Institute for Dynamics & Self-Organization, 37073 Goettingen

Microfluidic structures are particularly well-suited for controlled investigations of protein bundle and network formation. In addition to their ease of preparation and micrometer length scales, the myriad geometries and flow fields in such microdevices enable time-dependent investigations of non-equilibrium phenomena. We present studies of the blood clotting protein fibrin, a three-dimensional network formed from the enzymatic cleavage of fibrinogen monomers by the protein thrombin. Fibrin is a vital component of blood clots, and has been implicated in a variety of diseases. Real-time high resolution fluorescence microscopy and x-ray micro-diffraction are used to quantify supramolecular assembly and provide snapshots of the evolution of fibrin network formation. These techniques complement one another, providing information about fibrin assembly on length scales ranging from nanometers to micrometers. Specially designed microfluidic devices are also able to mechanically deform the fibrin networks within enclosed compartments. In this context, we report the influence of parameters, such as enzyme concentration and flow velocity, on fibrin network properties.