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SUMMARY:The mechanical properties of cells and tissues --- does soft matte
 r? - Jochen Guck (Canvendish)
DTSTART:20090608T120000Z
DTEND:20090608T130000Z
UID:TALK18185@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr Ed Brambley
DESCRIPTION:The cytoskeleton\, an internal polymer hybrid network\, determ
 ines the  mechanical strength and morphology of cells. This cytoskeleton e
 volves  during the normal differentiation of cells\, is involved in many  
 cellular functions\, and is characteristically altered in many  diseases\,
  including cancer. We can exploit the deformability of the  cytoskeleton a
 s a link between molecular structure and biological  function to distingui
 sh between different cells using a microfluidic  optical stretcher. We fin
 d that optical deformability is sensitive  enough to monitor the subtle ch
 anges during the progression of cells  from normal to cancerous and even m
 etastatic state. We can also  distinguish stem cells from more differentia
 ted cells. In both cases\,  their mechanical properties are tuned to the s
 pecific requirements  imposed on the cells by physical constraints. This s
 uggests using  optical deformability as an inherent cell marker for diagno
 sis of  disease and sorting of stem cells from heterogeneous populations\,
   obviating the need for external markers or special preparation.  Further
  research also focuses on the interplay between cell and tissue  mechanics
  for an improved understanding of axonal pathfinding during  development a
 nd novel therapeutic approaches in traumatic injuries to  the CNS and neur
 odegenerative diseases. 
LOCATION:MR5\, CMS
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