Molecular mechanisms of neuronal mechanotransduction (C05)

• Subject Area: Biophysics
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 460333672

C05 will develop methods to investigate molecular mechanisms of mechanosensing and mechanotransduction in primary neurons isolated from the rat hippocampus and from frog retinae. Cells will be cultured in engineered hydrogels with highly nonlinear mechanical properties that allow us to spatially and temporally tune the mechanical matrix properties by imposing defined matrix strain with magnetic actuators, global stretch, and arbitrary boundary conditions in the form of flexible pillars, walls, and ridges. We will then study mechanoresponsive cell behaviour, cell morphology, and morphodynamics through time-lapse video microscopy and 3-D traction microscopy.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1540: Exploring Brain Mechanics (EBM): Understanding, engineering and exploiting mechanical properties and signals in central nervous system development, physiology and pathology
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Ben Fabry