2010-03-10
15:45 at HCI G7

Cytoskeletal mechanics: Structure and Dynamics

Andreas Bausch

TU München

The actin cytoskeleton, a dynamic network of semiflexible filaments and associated regulatory proteins, is responsible for the extraordinary viscoelastic properties of cells. Especially in processes such as cell division, intracellular transport or cellular motility the controlled self assembly to well defined structures, which sill allow a dynamic reorganization on different time scales are of outstanding importance. One important and promising strategy to identify the underlying governing principles is to quantify the physical process in model systems mimicking the functional units of living cells. I will discuss the physical mechanisms which are exploited by cells to control their structural and mechanical integrity.