Regensburg 2025 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 17: Poster Session II

BP 17.41: Poster

Dienstag, 18. März 2025, 18:00–20:30, P4

Red blood cell membrane tension modulation by photo switchable molecules — •Tim Kutz¹, Bart Vos¹, Jan Bart Ravoo³, Andreas Janshoff², and Timo Betz¹ — ¹Third Institute of Physics, Georg August Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany — ²Institute of Physical Chemistry, Georg August Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany — ³Organic Chemistry Institute and Center for Soft Nanoscience, University of Münster

Cellular stiffness and surface tension are fundamental determinants of cell behavior and function. However, the precise contributions of membrane and cortical components to overall cell mechanics remain unclear. Building upon our recently developed multi-modal approach, which combines atomic force microscopy, confocal spinning disk fluorescence microscopy, and micropipette aspiration, we investigated the mechanical properties of human red blood cells (hRBC) as a model system, with a focus on membrane manipulation. By incorporating photo switchable azobenzenes into the hRBC membrane, we created a dynamic system to modulate membrane properties through light-induced conformational changes.Comparisons were made between wild-type hRBCs and those containing azobenzenes in both the cis and trans states. This approach enabled us to directly correlate changes in membrane conformation with alterations in mechanical properties. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using photo switchable molecules to modulate cellular mechanics in a controlled and reversible manner. This approach and novel platform advances our understanding of the contribution of the membrane to cellular tension.

Keywords: surface tension; hRBC; AFM; fluorescence microscopy; micropipette aspiration