A5015521956- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications
- Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies
- Micro and Nano Robotics
- 3D Printing in Biomedical Research
- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- Molecular Communication and Nanonetworks
- Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
- Pickering emulsions and particle stabilization
- Mechanical and Optical Resonators
- Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
- Erythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology
- Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
- Tendon Structure and Treatment
- Polymer Surface Interaction Studies
- Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation
- Electrostatics and Colloid Interactions
- Adhesion, Friction, and Surface Interactions
- Genetic and Kidney Cyst Diseases
- Renal and related cancers
- Model Reduction and Neural Networks
- Diffusion and Search Dynamics
- Gaussian Processes and Bayesian Inference
- Renal Diseases and Glomerulopathies
- Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
2021-2025
LMU Klinikum
2025
Forschungszentrum Jülich
2017-2024
Center for NanoScience
2024
Bavarian State Collection of Zoology
2021
Princeton University
2015-2018
Heidelberg University
2007-2014
Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies
2014
University of Stuttgart
2010-2012
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
2008
Cells in tissues are mechanically coupled both to the ECM and neighboring cells, but coordination interdependency of forces sustained at cell-ECM cell–cell adhesions unknown. In this paper, we demonstrate that endogenous force contact between a pair epithelial cells is approximately 100 nN, directed perpendicular interface concentrated edges. This stably maintained over time despite significant fluctuations length cell morphology. A direct relationship total cellular traction on exists,...
How focal adhesions (FAs) convert retrograde filamentous actin (F-actin) flow into traction stress on the extracellular matrix to drive cell migration is unknown. Using combined force and fluorescent speckle microscopy, we observed a robust biphasic relationship between F-actin speed force. inversely related near edge where FAs are formed motion rapid. In contrast, larger low marked by direct stress. We found that switch determined threshold of 8–10 nm/s, independent changes in FA protein...
Significance Dead-end geometries are commonly found in many porous systems. Particle transport into such dead-end pores is often important, but difficult to achieve owing the confinement. It natural expect that Brownian motion sole mechanism deliver particles pores, is, unfortunately, slow and inefficient. Here, we introduce solute gradient control of channels. We demonstrate a size effect larger tend focus more reside deeper Our findings suggest potential pathway useful applications as...
Active diffusiophoresis—swimming through interaction with a self-generated, neutral, solute gradient—is paradigm for autonomous motion at the micrometer scale. We study this propulsion mechanism within linear response theory. First, we consider several aspects relating to dynamics of swimming particle. extend established analytical formulae describe small swimmers, which interact their environment on finite lengthscale. Solute convection is also taken into account. Modeling chemical reaction...
Abstract Adherent cells exert traction forces on to their environment which allows them migrate, maintain tissue integrity, and form complex multicellular structures during developmental morphogenesis. Traction force microscopy (TFM) enables the measurement of an elastic substrate thereby provides quantitative information cellular mechanics in a perturbation-free fashion. In TFM, is usually calculated via solution linear system, complicated by undersampled input data, acquisition noise,...
In migrating cells, retrograde flow of the actin cytoskeleton is related to traction at adhesion sites located base lamellipodium. The coupling between moving and stationary adhesions mediated by continuous association dissociation molecular bonds. We introduce a simple model for competition stochastic dynamics elastic bonds interface relaxation within represented an internal viscous friction coefficient. Using exact simulations analytical mean field theory, we show that bond lead biphasic...
Significance Bacterial migration, aggregation, and even host infection depend on the generation of mechanical force. Despite their biomedical importance, forces between bacteria surfaces have not yet been measured during migration. We present a first study bacterial cell–substrate traction using Myxococcus xanthus as model organism. M. exhibits two common mechanisms motility, namely, twitching gliding. find that these lead to distinct patterns motion an individual or in groups. Twitching...
Recent studies on the role of myogenic satellite cells (SC) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) documented altered division capacities and impaired regeneration potential SC DMD patients animal models. It remains unknown, however, if SC-intrinsic effects trigger these deficiencies at pre-contractile stages myogenesis rather than resulting from pathologic environment. Addressing this, we isolated muscle biopsies a porcine model for characterization. Traction force microscopy (TFM) revealed...
Abstract Arguably the biggest man-made challenge of century is to halt progression climate change. Livestock’s methane (CH 4 ) emissions, a greenhouse gas with higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), represent prime target for reducing anthropogenic impact. While reduction enteric emissions through feed additives has been demonstrated, potent and affordable compounds inhibiting methanogenesis in ruminants are hardly established. Reliable methods reproducible cultivation...
To understand how adherent cells regulate traction forces on their surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM), quantitative techniques are needed to measure at the cell–ECM interface. Microcontact printing is used create a substrate of 1 µm diameter circles ECM ligand experimentally study reconstruction stresses constrained, point-like focal adhesions. Traction with point (TRPF) and Fourier transform cytometry (FTTC) calculate stress field, respectively, isolated We find that field calculated...
Surface interactions provide a class of mechanisms which can be employed for propulsion micrometer and nanometer sized particles. We investigate the related efficiency externally self-propelled swimmers. A general scaling relation is derived showing that only swimmers whose size comparable to, or smaller than, interaction range have appreciable efficiency. An upper bound at maximum power 1/2. Numerical calculations case diffusiophoresis are found to in good agreement with analytical expressions
A small, bimetallic particle in a hydrogen peroxide solution can propel itself by means of an electrocatalytic reaction. The swimming is driven flux ions around the particle. We model this process for presence monovalent salt, where reaction-driven proton currents induce salt ion currents. theory thin diffuse layers employed, which yields nonlinear, coupled transport equations. boundary conditions include compact Stern layer adsorbed ions. Electrochemical processes on surface are modeled...
Podocytes, highly specialized epithelial cells, build the outer part of kidney filtration barrier and withstand high mechanical forces through a complex network cellular protrusions. Here, we show that Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization controls actomyosin contractility focal adhesion maturation podocyte protrusions thereby regulates formation, maintenance, capacity to adapt requirements barrier. We find N-WASP-Arp2/3 define development arborized in vitro vivo. Loss dendritic networks...
The integrity of the kidney filtration barrier essentially relies on balanced interplay podocytes and glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Here, we show by analysis in vitro vivo models that a loss podocyte-specific FERM-domain protein EPB41L5 results impaired extracellular matrix (ECM) assembly. By using quantitative proteomics secretome matrisome, demonstrate shift ECM composition characterized diminished deposition core GBM components, such as LAMA5. Integrin adhesome reveals recruits...
Fluid flow is thought to prevent bacterial adhesion, but some bacteria use adhesins with catch bond properties enhance adhesion under high shear forces. However, many studies on either neglect the influence of force or forces that are not typically found in natural systems. In this study, we microfluidics and single-cell imaging examine how human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa interacts surfaces when exposed body (0.1 pN 10 pN). Through cell tracking, demonstrate angle between surface...
The bacterial colonization of surfaces is a ubiquitous process that shapes nature and profoundly affects human health. While much known about the biology this process, pivotal interplay between physical environment active micromechanics remains poorly understood. In fact, strong adhesion high motility, both which are essential for surface colonization, two apparently contradictory goals, as they mutually obstruct each other. Here, we investigate how pathogen optimizes its behavior under...
Automatic machine learning of empirical models from experimental data has recently become possible as a result increased availability computational power and dedicated algorithms. Despite the successes non-parametric inference neural-network-based for modelling, physical interpretation results often remains challenging. Here, we focus on direct governing differential equations data, which can be formulated linear inverse problem. A Bayesian framework with Laplacian prior distribution is...