Cells in tissue are established in a 3D environment (matrix). It is now known that the properties of the matrix determine the properties of the cell. This is especially true for motile cells. Neutrophils, for example, move with amazing efficiency during inflammatory processes in order to reach the site of inflammation and thus contribute to the protection of the host. Conventional approaches of cell motility analysis are based on 2D environments in cell culture dishes. To get closer to in vivo conditions, we study cell migration in topographically adapted 3D environments.
To model a defined 3D environment, regular microstructures are generated on surfaces. These quasi-3D environments are suitable to study the motility of cells and the influence of external stimuli on the cells. For the fabrication of the microstructures different lithographic methods of embossing and etching can be used. For example, columnar structures with variable spacing and size are a standard 3D model for these studies.
The active movement of cells within the 3D environment is recorded microscopically. Motion tracking is performed by means of image analysis. The data then allow a causal evaluation of cell motility as a function of the 3D environment.
The results are particularly important for understanding the processes involved in tissue engineering.
Publications within this project:
- Tong C., Wondergem J.A.J., Heinrich D. & Kieltyka R.E. (2020), Photopatternable, branched polymer hydrogels based on linear macromonomers for 3D cell culture applications, ACS MacroLetters9(6): 882-888.article in journal: refereed
- Wondergem A.J., Witzel P., Mytiliniou M., Holcman D. & Heinrich D.M. (2020), Topographical guidance of highly motile amoeboid cell migration, BiophysicalJournal 118(3): 606a.article in journal: refereed
- Tweedy L., Witzel P., Heinrich D.M., Insall R.H. & Endres R.G. (2019), Screening by changes in stereotypical behavior during cell motility,Scientific Reports9: 8784.article in journal: refereed
- Paulitschke P., Keber F., Lebedev A., Stephan J., Lorenz H., Hasselmann S., Heinrich D.M. & Weig E.M. (2019), Ultraflexible nanowire array for label- and distortion-free cellular force tracking, Nano Letters19(4): 2207-2214.article in journal: refereed
- Noteborn W.E.M., Wondergem A.J., Lurchenko A., Chariyez-Prinz F., Donato D.M., Voets I.K., Heinrich D.M. & Kieltyka R.E. (2018), Grafting from a hybrid DNA-covalent polymer by hybridization chain reaction, Macromolecules51(14): 5157-5164.article in journal: refereed
- Heinrich D.M., Gotz M. & Sackmann E. (2018), The cell- amazingly physical, PhysicsinOur Time 49(2): 64-70.article in journal: refereed
- Emmert, M., Witzel, P, Rothenburger-Glaubitt M. & Heinrich D.M. (2017), Nanostructured surface of Biodegradable Silica Fibers enhance directed amoeboid cell migration in a microtubule-dependent process, RSC Advances7: 5708-5714.article in journal: refereed
- Emmert M., Witzel P. & Heinrich D.M. (2016), Challenges in tissue engineering - towards cell control inside artificial scaffolds, SOFT MATTER2016(12): 4287-4294.article in journal: refereed
- Gorelashvili M., Emmert M., Hodeck K. & Heinrich D.M. (2014), Amoeboid migration mode adaptation in quasi-3D spatial density gradients of varying lattice geometry, NewJournal of Physics 16: 075012.article in journal: refereed
- Arcizet D., Capito S., Gorelashvili M., Leonhard C., Vollmer M., Youssef S., Rappl S. & Heinrich D.M. (2012), Contact-controlled amoeboid motility induces dynamic cell trapping in 3D-microstructured surfaces, Soft Matter8(5): 1473-1481.article in journal: refereed
- Sackmann E., Keber F. & Heinrich D.M. (2010), Physics of cellular movements, AnnualReview of Condensed Matter Physics1: 257- 276.article in journal: refereed
