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SUMMARY:The mechanical properties of cells and tissues – does soft matte
 r? - Jochen Guck\, Biological and Soft Systems\, Department of Physics\, U
 niversity of Cambridge
DTSTART:20070504T143000Z
DTEND:20070504T153000Z
UID:TALK7145@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:spl37
DESCRIPTION:The cytoskeleton\, an internal polymer hybrid network\, determ
 ines the mechanical strength and morphology of cells. This cytoskeleton ev
 olves during the normal differentiation of cells\, is involved in many cel
 lular functions\, and is characteristically altered in many diseases\, inc
 luding cancer. We can exploit the deformability of the cytoskeleton as a l
 ink between molecular structure and biological function to distinguish bet
 ween different cells using a microfluidic optical stretcher. We find that 
 optical deformability is sensitive enough to monitor the subtle changes du
 ring the progression of cells from normal to cancerous and even metastatic
  state. We can also distinguish stem cells from more differentiated cells.
  This suggests using optical deformability as an inherent cell marker for 
 diagnosis of disease and sorting of stem cells from heterogeneous populati
 ons\, obviating the need for external markers or special preparation. Furt
 her research will also focus on the interplay between cell and tissue mech
 anics for an improved understanding of axonal pathfinding during developme
 nt\, the role of mechanotransduction in differentiation\, and novel therap
 eutic approaches in traumatic injuries to the CNS and neurodegenerative di
 seases.\n
LOCATION: IRC in Superconductivity Seminar room
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