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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 15: Poster IIb
BP 15.13: Poster
Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 18:00–20:30, Poster F
Monitoring the developmental dynamics of cysts with light sheet microscopy — •Ivana Jeremic, Paula Gironés Payá, Florian Rehfeldt, and Matthias Weiss — University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
Proper epithelial morphogenesis is crucial for organ development and functioning. Understanding the mechanisms that guide morphogenesis is essential, not only for decoding the fundamental biology of organs but also for a better comprehension of the processes involved at the onset and progression of diseases. A key aspect of morphogenesis, e.g. in the kidney, is the formation of cell clusters that surround a hollow lumen. Development of the lumen depends on the interaction of epithelial cells with the extracellular matrix (ECM). So far, two primary mechanisms for lumen creation have been identified: cavitation and hollowing. During cavitation, cells in the center of spheroids undergo apoptosis, hence creating a hollow space. In contrast, during hollowing small endocytic vesicles are created that later fuse to produce a central lumen. Which of these two mechanisms is predominant depends on the interplay of various mechanical and chemical cues. In our project, we explore the influence of substrate composition and stiffness on the development of Caco-2 cell cysts. Monitoring of cyst development is facilitated by a custom-made light sheet microscope, designed for live-cell imaging of samples with a few hundred micrometers in diameter. Our preliminary data suggest that the mechanical properties of the surrounding matrix is key for the formation of a single lumen or multiple lumina in a given cell cluster.
Keywords: Light sheet fluorescence microscopy; Caco-2 cells; 3D cell culture