Berlin 2024 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 36: Cell Mechanics II

BP 36.8: Talk

Friday, March 22, 2024, 12:00–12:15, H 0112

Band pattern formation in a suspension of red blood cells during centrifugation in a Percoll density gradient — •Felix Maurer, Thomas John, Christian Wagner, and Alexis Darras — Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany

Percoll is a suspension of silica nanoparticles often used to establish density gradients and separate biological matter in centrifugation protocols. When red blood cells (RBCs) sediment in a Percoll medium, they form patterns of discrete bands. While this is a popular approach for RBC age separation, the mechanisms involved in band formation were unknown. In a series of experiments we could show that the formation of those patterns could be explained by cell aggregation. We developed a new continuum model to describe the volumetric RBC density under the influence of attractive pair interaction. Our numerical solutions are characterized by pattern formation and transitions between the equilibrium states depending on aggregation energy and initial volumetric RBC concentration.