Berlin 2015 – scientific programme
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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik
CPP 39: Cell adhesion, mechanics and migration I (Joint session BP, CPP)
CPP 39.7: Talk
Wednesday, March 18, 2015, 11:45–12:00, H 1058
Probing the role of cytoplasmic flows in embryogenesis — •Matthäus Mittasch1, Peter Gross1,2, Stephan Grill1,2, and Moritz Kreysing1 — 1Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany — 2Biotechnology Center, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
While the genetic basis of embryogenesis is increasingly well understood, it is also clear that gene expression needs to be coupled to physical transport phenomena to account for the genesis of spatial structure. A striking example of morphogenesis is the polarization of the egg cell of the nematode worm C. elegans prior to asymmetric cell division. This process relies on the active cortical transport of morphogens (PAR proteins), and is impaired upon myosin-2 motor down-regulation. However, little is known about the mechanistic role of the cytoplasmic flows that seem to stabilize cell polarization. Here, we adapt the previously described technique of light driven micro-fluidics (Weinert & Braun, J. appl. Phys. 2008), in order to now generate flows inside early stage embryos. Specifically, we report on the generation of micron-scale flow patterns confined in three dimensions, with velocities exceeding the wild type flows. By this, we aim to (i) rescue impaired embryos, (ii) manipulate wild-type cytoplasmic flow velocities, and (iii) introduce polarity multipoles through the induction of well-controlled artificial cytoplasmic flows inside C. elegans eggs. We anticipate that our findings will add to the general understanding of how biological systems utilize active transport phenomena to establish spatial structure.