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SUMMARY:Cells Under the Tip - Prof. Andrew E. Pelling\, University of Otta
 wa\, Canada
DTSTART:20091023T130000Z
DTEND:20091023T140000Z
UID:TALK20057@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Erika Eiser
DESCRIPTION:The mechanical properties of cells are becoming recognized as 
 key indicators and control mechanisms during physiological processes such 
 as mitosis\, malignant transformations and differentiation. In addition\, 
 these properties are also highly responsive and time dependent. In this ta
 lk I will describe recent work utilizing simultaneous atomic force microsc
 opy\, traction force microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy to 
 investigate dynamic and timescale dependent cell mechanics. In combination
  with modern molecular biology and physical/computational approaches we ex
 amined the transmission of force through living cells resulting in dynamic
  remodeling of focal adhesions and viscous three-dimensional relaxation of
  the cytoskeleton. In turn\, the mechanical response of the cell was also 
 observed to be highly regulated by the substrate stiffness. These approach
 es were then applied to study the programmed mechanical breakdown of the c
 ell during early apoptosis (cell death). Cytoskeletal control of short (<1
 sec) and long (>1min) term elastic and viscous deformations were quantifie
 d and directly linked to the cell death program in a time-dependent manner
 . Cell mechanics is distinctly controlled by time and cell-type dependent 
 mechanisms which\, in turn\, are governed by the mechanical micro-environm
 ent. The interesting physics is not merely a side-product of biology but i
 s a key component of a biological and physical feedback loop governing the
  life of a cell.
LOCATION:Small Lecture Theatre\, Cavendish Laboratory
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