Biomimetic models of the actin cytoskeleton.
The cytoskeleton is a complex polymer network that plays an essential role in the functionality of eukaryotic cells. It endows cells with mechanical stability, adaptability, and motility. To identify and understand the mechanisms underlying this large variety of capabilities and to possibly transfer them to engineered networks makes it necessary to have in vitro and in silico model systems of the cytoskeleton. These models must be realistic representatives of the cellular network and at the same time be controllable and reproducible. Here, an approach to design complementary experimental and numerical model systems of the actin cytoskeleton is presented and some of their properties discussed.
Mohrdieck
Camilla
C
Department of Metallurgy, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstrasse 3, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany. mohrdieck@mf.mpg.de
Dalmas
Florent
F
Arzt
Eduard
E
Tharmann
Rainer
R
Claessens
Mireille M A E
MM
Bausch
Andreas R
AR
Roth
Alexander
A
Sackmann
Erich
E
Schmitz
Christian H J
CH
Curtis
Jennifer
J
Roos
Wouter
W
Schulz
Simon
S
Uhrig
Kai
K
Spatz
Joachim P
JP
D000199:Actins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D006696:Holography; D008954:Models, Biological; D008958:Models, Molecular; D052898:Optical Tweezers; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011817:Rabbits; D033081:Shear Strength
D000199:Actins; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols