Regensburg 2010 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 15: Physics of Cells II

BP 15.6: Talk

Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 16:00–16:15, H43

Correlation of protein density with cell morphology both in motile mouse fibroblasts and slime molds — •Erik Bernitt, Christina Oettmeier, Siddharth Deshpande, and Hans-Günther Döbereiner — Institut für Biophysik, Universität Bremen

We have characterized cell motility as temporal sequences of distinct dynamic phases. Transitions between these phases are indicated by a number of cellular observables including adhesion area, membrane front velocity, topological markers, and special characteristics of internal density fields. In this talk, we present examples of two species from different evolutionary kingdoms. Under environmental stress, the slime mold Physarum polycephalum exhibits a transition from a globular phase to an extended network with an increasing number of holes. This change in topology is coupled to a pronounced variation in the frequency of area oscillations and internal density waves. We calculate multidimensional cross correlations of these phase indicators. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts show distinct phases of spreading. We correlate front velocity with actin distribution in these phases.