Project Details
Projekt
Complex regulatory dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton - a new approach combining photoactivation and microfluidic tools
Applicant
Professor Dr. Carsten Beta
Subject Area
Biophysics
Term
from 2007 to 2011
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 37823118
The dynamical properties of the actin cytoskeleton are the basis of cell motility and chemotaxis. To complement recent progress in deciphering the regulatory pathways of the actin system, we propose an approach that is inspired by the idea of systematic network perturbation: The dynamic output of a living cell in response to well controlled, specifically tailored input signals will be analyzed. Joining microfluidic tools with the light induced release of caged signaling agents, we are able to perform highly controlled spatiotemporal stimulation of single cells. Preliminary experiments have shown, that the dynamics of an actin associated protein in Dictyostelium shows oscillatory tails in response to short stimuli with chemoattractant. Based on this initial observation, we will use our experimental techniques to characterize intrinsic time scales of the actin cytoskeleton. Cell lines expressing a variety of fluorescent cytoskeletal marker proteins will be exposed to uniform and directional stimuli that can be both stationary and time periodic. We combine our approach with confocal laser scanning microscopy and multiline total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) imaging.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
