Dresden 2017 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 47: Cell Adhesion

BP 47.2: Talk

Thursday, March 23, 2017, 10:00–10:15, ZEU 250

Adhesion of Chlamydomonas microalgae to surfaces is switchable by light — •Christian Kreis, Marine Le Blay, Christine Linne, Marcin Makowski, and Oliver Bäumchen — Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPIDS), Am Faßberg 17, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany

Many microalgae live in complex confined geometries, such as soil and temporary pools, consisting of water inclusions and a plethora of surfaces. They have adapted to these habitats by developing planktonic (freely swimming) and surface-associated states. While the swimming of microalgae has been widely studied in recent years, the mechanism that triggers the adhesion to surfaces remains elusive. We performed in vivo force spectroscopy experiments on the unicellular biflagellated microalga Chlamydomonas, a prime model organism in cell- and microbiology, and discovered that the flagella-mediated adhesion to surfaces can be switched on and off by light [1]. The light-switchable adhesiveness of the flagella is a completely reversible process based on a redistribution of adhesion-promoting flagella-membrane proteins. This functionality enables the cell to regulate the transition between planktonic and surface-associated state, which possibly represents a significant biological advantage for photoactive microorganisms. Gaining control of the initiation of biofilm formation bears an immediate relevance in technological applications, including the production of biofuel as a renewable source of energy in microalgae photo-bioreactors. [1] C. Kreis, M. Le Blay, C. Linne, M. Makowski, and O. Bäumchen, in review (2016).