Deciphering the role of intra and extracellular elasticity for protrusion growth, stability and switching during cell motility in vivo.

• Applicant: Dr. Alba Diz-Muñoz
• Subject Area: Biophysics ; Developmental Biology ; Cell Biology
• Term: from 2017 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 394329438

Cell protrusions such as lamellipodia play a central role in cell migration. During development and cancer cell migration, switching between different protrusion types has been observed. Cell mechanics, especially membrane-to-cortex attachment, contractility, cell adhesion, and actin polymerization have been shown to be important for protrusion formation. The contributions of other physical parameters such as intra and extracellular elasticity are still poorly understood due to the lack of convenient assay systems and the absence of technology to measure mechanical properties in a contactless way in vivo. In this proposal, we aim to understand the role of intra and extracellular elasticity in protrusion growth, stability, and switching in vivo. We will initially test the role of leading edge elasticity in lamellipodia formation ex vivo. Next, we will establish and benchmark Brillouin microscopy as a tool that can measure elastic properties in 3D environments. Lastly, we will use Brillouin Light Scattering Spectroscopy (BLSS) combined with fluorescence microscopy to decipher the role of intra and extracellular elasticity in protrusion growth, stability and switching during zebrafish mesendodermal migration in vivo.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants