Dresden 2020 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 9: Poster II

BP 9.22: Poster

Monday, March 16, 2020, 17:30–19:30, P2/2OG

Optical characterization of thermodynamic states in biological systems — •Carina Fedosejevs and Matthias F. Schneider — Medical and Biological Physics, TU Dortmund

The biological function (permeability, fusion, fission, nerve puls propagation etc.) of membranes has often been hypothesized to be controlled by the thermodynamic state of the membrane rather than to be a sole property of the individual constituents. Phase transitions represent a highly non-linear change in state and are therefore very potent candidates for changes in function. Importantly, phase transitions have not only extensively been demonstrated in lipid membranes, but also in cells.

But how to detect phase states/transitions in biological systems? Incorporating fluorescence dyes into cell membranes as local reporters of state, by analyzing their optical properties (e.g. spectrum and lifetime) with high resolution, will allow us to create a map of the thermodynamic state of the cell. These state-maps, will be compared with biological processes observable with the system.