title: Real-time actin-cytoskeleton depolymerization detection in a single cell using optical tweezers.
abstract: The cytoskeleton provides the backbone structure for the cellular organization, determining, in particular, the cellular mechanical properties. These are important factors in many biological processes, as, for instance, the metastatic process of malignant cells. In this paper, we demonstrate the possibility of monitoring the cytoskeleton structural transformations in optically trapped yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) by tracking the forward scattered light via a quadrant photodiode. We distinguished normal cells from cells treated with latrunculin A, a drug which is known to induce the actin-cytoskeleton depolymerization. Since the proposed technique relies only on the inherent properties of the optical trap, without requiring external markers or biochemical sensitive spectroscopic techniques, it can be readily combined with existing optical tweezers setups.
authors: Anna Chiara
authors: AC
authors: De Luca
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Volpe
authors: Anna Morales
authors: AM
authors: Drets
authors: Maria Isabel
authors: MI
authors: Geli
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Pesce
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Rusciano
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Sasso
authors: Dmitri
authors: D
authors: Petrov