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SUMMARY:Reverse engineering cell mechanics - Prof. Daniel Fletcher\, UC Be
 rkeley\, USA
DTSTART:20080515T130000Z
DTEND:20080515T140000Z
UID:TALK12157@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Jurij Kotar
DESCRIPTION:Cells are highly coordinated machines that depend on mechanics
  for a wide range of behaviors.  Cell movements and shape change are essen
 tial for tissue development and repair\, while changes in the mechanical a
 nd motile properties of cells are associated with a growing number of dise
 ases including cancer.  In this talk\, I will present our recent efforts t
 o understand the cytoskeletal structures that govern the mechanical proper
 ties and movements of cells.  We use a combination of force microscopy\, o
 ptical microscopy\, and microfluidics to investigate actin filament networ
 ks in both whole cells and purified protein reconstitutions.  The ability 
 to control assembly of cytoskeletal structures may enable new understandin
 g of disease mechanisms and could offer the ability to engineer new cell-l
 ike systems for health applications.
LOCATION:Small Lecture Theatre\, Cavendish Laboratory
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