Dresden 2017 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 9: Posters - Cell Mechanics

BP 9.3: Poster

Monday, March 20, 2017, 17:30–19:30, P3

Cooperative microtubule dynamics in closed elastic compartments — •Jonas Hegemann and Jan Kierfeld — TU Dortmund, 44221 Dortmund, Germany

Microtubules are an essential part of the cytoskeleton and interact mechanically with cell cortex and membrane. Since local polymerization forces on the cell boundary can affect its global shape, this generates a coupling between different microtubules. We propose a model, which describes the polymerization dynamics of a microtubule ensemble confined in a closed elastic compartment in two dimensions and growing radially outwards. This serves as a simple model for microtubules in an elastic cell cortex, which can change its shape. Microtubules are coupled via their growth velocities, which depend on local forces derived from an elastic energy functional. The cell cortex dynamically reacts to stochastic displacements produced by the microtubules. We investigate synchronization effects and polarization mechanisms.