Dresden 2009 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 7: Poster I

BP 7.19: Poster

Monday, March 23, 2009, 17:45–20:00, P3

Microtubules inside out — Jan Kleeblat, Christoph F. Schmidt, and •Iwan A. T. Schaap — 3. Physikalisches Institut, Fakultät für Physik, Georg-August-Universität, 37077 Göttingen, Germany

Microtubules are protein nano-tubes with a diameter of 25 nm which form a crucial part of the cytoskeleton. During the different states of the cell cycle, microtubules have to rapidly assemble and disassemble. To achieve this microtubules are non-equilibrium polymers with complex mechanical properties. We have here used Atomic Force Microscopy and molecular reconstructions to study the inside of microtubules, unfolded on a strongly adhesive substrate. We found evidence for a mechanical instabilty in the shells from the structure of the adhering sheets.