Berlin 2012 – scientific programme
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 2: Physics of Cells I
BP 2.7: Talk
Monday, March 26, 2012, 11:30–11:45, H 1028
Inherently slow and weak forward forces of neuronal growth cones measured by a drift-stabilized Atomic Force Microscope — •Thomas Fuhs1, Lydia Reuter1, Iris Vonderhaid1, Thomas Claudepierre2, and Josef A. Käs1 — 1Universität Leipzig, Soft matter physics, Leipzig, Germany — 2Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Leipzig, Germany
Previous results have convincingly shown that neurons prefer soft environments, such as glia cells. This assures that neurons are confined to the central nervous system and cannot wander off. Nevertheless, the question remains, whether or not growth cones have the ability to migrate in stiffer environments like glial scars, as required in nerve regeneration. We investigated the mechanical properties and force generation of extending retinal ganglion cells and NG108-15 growth cones using different AFM based methods. With our drift-stabilized AFM we could, for the first time, measure the forward pushing forces at the leading edge of outgrowing neuronal growth cones. Our results demonstrate that growth cones have neither the required stability nor the ability to produce forces necessary to penetrate hard tissues.