Skip to main content
Vai all'homepage della Commissione europea (si apre in una nuova finestra)
italiano it
CORDIS - Risultati della ricerca dell’UE
CORDIS
Contenuto archiviato il 2024-05-29

Mechanics of the cytoskeleton: active polymer networks

Obiettivo

The cytoskeleton is a complex and highly dynamic network of protein filaments, motors, regulatory agents - such as cross-linkers or bundlers - and membranes, that gives eukaryotic cells their shape and mechanical strength and drives dynamic cell functions such as cell locomotion, division, and growth.

I will explore how the microscopic structure and the active and passive dynamics of the cytoskeleton determine cellular mechanics. I aim towards a quantitative physical understanding of the molecular mechanisms of dynamic cell functions. This requires a dual approach, integrating in vitro studies of active cytoskeletal protein networks with in vivo investigations of cells.

The influences of cross-linking and motor proteins on the microstructure and micromechanics of cytoskeletal networks will be studied using networks of reconstituted actin filaments. I will compare bundled and isotropically cross-linked actin networks, and study the non-equilibrium properties created by the activity of tension-generating motor proteins.

Since the cytoskeleton is intrinsically heterogeneous it will be essential to use and develop microrheological techniques that can resolve local variations of mechanical properties on a micrometer scale. Colloidal probe particles will be inserted into in vitro networks and living cells (endothelial cells, fibroblasts, osteocytes, and neurons), and their thermal motion will be monitored with light microscopy, laser interferometry, and diffusing wave spectroscopy.

I will use active manipulation of the probe particles with optical tweezers to examine the non-linear regime of the viscoelastic response. The project is highly interdisciplinary, since it integrates cell biology and biochemistry with soft condensed matter and polymer physics, statistical mechanics, and cutting-edge optical technology.

Campo scientifico (EuroSciVoc)

Parole chiave

Argomento(i)

Invito a presentare proposte

FP6-2002-MOBILITY-6
Vedi altri progetti per questo bando

Meccanismo di finanziamento

OIF - Marie Curie actions-Outgoing International Fellowships

Coordinatore

VERENIGING VOOR CHRISTELIJK WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERWIJS
Contributo UE
Nessun dato
Costo totale
Nessun dato

Partecipanti (1)