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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 1: Cell Migration and Tissue Dynamics
BP 1.7: Vortrag
Montag, 25. Februar 2008, 11:45–12:00, C 243
Stochastic Lamellipodium Dynamics and Forces in Cell Motility — •Daniel Koch1, Melanie Knorr1, Thomas Fuhs1, Timo Betz2, Ulrich Behn1, and Josef Käs1 — 1University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany — 2Institute Curie, Paris, France
Cell motility is fundamental for cell migration and cell growth and therefore it is a basis for the understanding of many processes in natural phenomena such as development, neuronal plasticity, and cancer metastasis. The dynamics and forces in the lamellipodium of cells, a thin veil-like structure at the leading edge, are governed by the polymerization of actin filaments and the forces generated by the molecular motor myosin.
Investigation of the leading edge dynamics in combination with flow and force measurements in neuronal growth cones, fish keratocytes, and fibroblasts, gives new insight into the interplay of actin polymerization and retrograde flow and allows comparing the differences and similarities in motility in these different cell systems. We have developed a stochastic model that consistently describes actin polymerization, retrograde flow and edge dynamics in these cell systems. Furthermore, the measurement of the internal flow as well as the viscoelastic material properties of the cell allows calculating the internal force field acting within the lamellipodium. Finally, the measurement of the external traction forces completes the picture of the forces acting on a cell. All this information is combined into a complete picture of cell motility to address the question of universal mechanisms in the motility machinery of cells.