Mapping the elastic response of epithelial apical cell membranes suspended across porous array [Elektronische Ressource] / Tamir Fine

Mapping the Elastic Response of Epithelial Apical Cell Membranes Suspended Across Porous Array Dissertation zur Erlangung des Grades "Doktor der Naturwissenschaften" im Promotionsfach: Chemie am Fachbereich Chemie, Pharmazie und Geowissenschaften der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz Tamir Fine Mainz, 2009   Dekan: Prof. Dr. D.Sc. h.c. Wolfgang Hofmeister Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 14.01.10     ABSTRACT As the elastic response of cell membranes to mechanical stimuli plays a key role in various cellular processes, novel biophysical strategies to quantify the elasticity of native membranes under physiological conditions at a nanometer scale are gaining interest. In order to investigate the elastic response of apical membranes, elasticity maps of native membrane sheets, isolated from MDCK II (Madine Darby Canine kidney strain II) epithelial cells, were recorded by local indentation with an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). To exclude the underlying substrate effect on membrane indentation, a highly ordered gold coated porous array with a pore diameter of 1.2 μm was used to support apical membranes.