Mechanical and biochemical stimulation of suspended cells in a microfluidic device probed with dual optical tweezers
von Samaneh Rezvani Boroujeni
Datum der mündl. Prüfung:2017-11-17
Erschienen:2018-01-30
Betreuer:Prof. Dr. Christoph F. Schmidt
Gutachter:Prof. Dr. Andreas Janshoff
Gutachter:Dr. Claus Heussinger
Gutachter:Prof. Dr. Marcus Müller
Gutachter:Prof. Dr. Stefan Klumpp
Gutachter:Dr. Andreas Neef
Dateien
Name:RezvaniSamaneh-Dissertation2017.pdf
Size:11.3Mb
Format:PDF
Description:PhD Dissertation-2017
Zusammenfassung
Englisch
Cells communicate with their environment through biochemical and mechanical interactions. They can respond to stimuli by undergoing shape- and, in some situations, volume changes. Key determinants of the mechanical response of a cell are the viscoelastic properties of the actomyosin cortex, effective surface tension, and osmotic pressure. It is challenging to measure the mechanical response of cells while changing environmental conditions. We here demonstrate the use of a novel microfluidic device with integrated hydrogel micro-windows to change solution conditions for cells suspended by optical traps. Solution conditions can be rapidly changed in this device without exposing the cells to direct fluid flow. We use biochemical inhibitors and varying osmotic conditions and investigate the time-dependent response of individual cells. Using a dual optical trap makes it possible to probe the viscoelasticity of suspended cells by active and passive microrheology and to quantify force fluctuations generated by the cells at the same time.
Keywords: optical tweezers; microfluidic device; microrheology; osmotic pressure; viscoelastic properties; suspended cells; time-resolved response; actomyosin cell cortex