Regensburg 2025 – wissenschaftliches Programm
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 19: Membranes and Vesicles II
BP 19.5: Vortrag
Mittwoch, 19. März 2025, 10:30–10:45, H46
Exploring DNA Linkers for Biomimetic Cell Adhesion of Red Blood Cells — •Sebastian W. Krauss1, Roger Rubio-Sánchez1, Bortolo M. Mognetti2, Lorenzo Di Michele1, and Pietro Cicuta3 — 1CEB, University of Cambridge, UK — 2ULB, Brussels, Belgium — 3Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, UK
Ligand-receptor interactions are fundamental to cellular membrane dynamics, influencing a range of processes like cell-cell signaling and viral infections. These interactions govern how adjacent membranes recognize, bind, and respond to one another. To better understand these mechanisms, we developed a biomimetic approach that grants precise control over the strength of interactions between opposing membranes. Our strategy employs short membrane-anchored amphiphilic DNA nanostructures featuring single-stranded 'sticky-ends', which are designed to bind through complementary sequences, providing an adaptive platform for membrane-membrane interactions [Chem. Comm. 57, 12725 (2021)]. We implemented our platform to functionalize red blood cells (RBCs), creating cellular aggregates with programmable morphologies, ranging from doublets to star-like geometries. Additionally, we used DNA-functionalized particles to selectively bind RBCs. By tuning the sequence, we precisely controlled interaction strength, enabling RBCs to progressively envelop beads. Furthermore, we employed optical tweezers to observe the rapid formation of strong bonds in situ [manuscripts in preparation]. This system offers insights into the forces and dynamics of RBC aggregation and their interactions with pathogens, such as Plasmodium species responsible for malaria.
Keywords: Red Blood Cells; DNA Nanotechnology; Membranes; Optical Tweezer; Bioengineering