Regensburg 2010 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 32: Posters: Physics of Cells

BP 32.29: Poster

Thursday, March 25, 2010, 17:15–20:00, Poster B1

Influence of Microfluidic Shear on Keratin Networks in Live Cells — •Jens Nolting, Jannick Langfahl-Klabes, and Sarah Köster — Courant Research Centre Nano-Spectroscopy and X-Ray Imaging, University of Göttingen, Germany

Intermediate filaments (IFs) are a major component of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton along with microtubules and microfilaments. IFs show a hierarchical build-up which distinguishes them from other cytoskeletal filaments and leads to a pronounced flexibility. Here, we present a study of keratin intermediate filament networks in live cells which are believed to play a key role in cell mechanics, in particular with regard to external forces. We expose cells expressing fluorescent keratin proteins to shear forces applied by microfluidic methods and investigate the response of the keratin cytoskeleton. This approach enables us to apply well-defined flow fields due to controlled external parameters and variable microchannel layouts. Moreover, the shear flow can be established such that it acts on one individual cell or on groups of cells. In combination with finite element method simulations of flow conditions and fluid-cell-interactions and experimental flow-field analyses these experiments provide important steps towards an understanding of the rheological properties of whole cells.