Invited Paper IPF+AS+BI+NS-WeM12
Optoregulated Biointerfaces

Wednesday, October 24, 2018, 11:40 am, Room 101B

Cells interact with their microenvironment by engaging membrane receptors with complementary partners at the surrounding matrix or at other neighbouring cells. These receptor complexes, often associated to cytoskeletal structures, allow exchange of biochemical and mechanical information. The ability to quantify this exchange is crucial for our understanding of cellular behavioru and responses to external factors. Using model bionterfaces with optoregulated interaction possibilities, selective membrane receptors in living cells can be addressed in situ, i.e. on a sensor surface, while quantifying specific cellular responses. Light-regulated tools to apply and sense cell biochemical and mechanical interactions will be presented.