Spreading dynamics and force generation in blood platelets (A12)

• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: from 2011 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 178321814

Blood platelets are the key cellular players in blood clotting. They spread on surfaces and strongly change their shape. Furthermore, they generate forces and transfer them to the environment. The aim of this project is to understand the cytoskeletal mechanisms behind this dynamic adaption to the new function after spreading. We measure the cell morphology as well as the cellular force fields at high spatial and temporal resolution. We use substrates of different stiffness as well as topography and fluid flow to mimic the situation in injured blood vessels.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 937: Collective Behaviour of Soft and Biological Matter
• Applicant Institution: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Sarah Köster