UA Biophysics:Molecular Mechanics: Difference between revisions

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(New page: Molecular mechanics of bio-molecules P.i. Manu Forero Bacteria have hair-like appendages called pili which they use to adhere to cells and cause infections such as cystitis. In previo...)
 
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Molecular mechanics of bio-molecules
Cell mechanics and adhesion, Microscopy
 


P.i. Manu Forero
P.i. Manu Forero




Bacteria have hair-like appendages called pili which they use to adhere to cells and cause infections such as cystitis. In previous research we showed that these pili can extend as bungee cords to limit the effect of large forces caused by fluid flow on the adhesive at the end of the pili, called HimH. Moreover this adhesive has a remarkable property: It can bind stronger under tension than when there is no tension. This counterintuitive property is called catch bond, very much like the finger traps found in children's toys.
Intercellular interactions are fundamental to understanding many processes related to disease. In particular, new approaches to fight disease can come from understanding how pathogens attach and interact with host cells, interact with the host´s defenses or join forces in a colony for added resistance. Infection starts as mechanical process (adhesion and invasion) followed by intercellular interactions that can either be host-pathogen or among pathogens as in biofilms. We use tools such as the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) to probe mechanical interactions and adhesion, as well as Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy (LSFM) to understand other intercellular interactions, via gene expression and tracking, for example.
 
In a collaborative project with mechanical engineering and chemical engineering we want to do multi-level simulations and experiments to understand the way the properties of fluids, pili and FimH affect bacterial adhesion. Master or PhD students interested in simulations, fluidics and bioengineering are encouraged to apply.

Latest revision as of 09:49, 28 August 2015

Cell mechanics and adhesion, Microscopy

P.i. Manu Forero


Intercellular interactions are fundamental to understanding many processes related to disease. In particular, new approaches to fight disease can come from understanding how pathogens attach and interact with host cells, interact with the host´s defenses or join forces in a colony for added resistance. Infection starts as mechanical process (adhesion and invasion) followed by intercellular interactions that can either be host-pathogen or among pathogens as in biofilms. We use tools such as the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) to probe mechanical interactions and adhesion, as well as Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy (LSFM) to understand other intercellular interactions, via gene expression and tracking, for example.