Session W35: Dynamic Forces at Cell and Subcell Levels

2:30 PM–5:30 PM, Thursday, March 8, 2007
Colorado Convention Center - 405

Sponsoring Unit: DBP
Chair: Shane Hutson, Vanderbilt University

Abstract ID: BAPS.2007.MAR.W35.2

Abstract: W35.00002 : Recoil Dynamics after Laser Ablation of Single Cell Edges in Embyronic Epithelia

2:42 PM–2:54 PM

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Authors:

  Xiaoyan Ma
    (Vanderbilt University)

  M. Shane Hutson
    (Vanderbilt University)

In order to determine the interfacial tensions along cell-cell boundaries in living fruit fly (\textit{Drosophila}) embryos, we have developed a microsurgical method based on laser ablation and laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Following ablation of one cell edge, we follow the recoil dynamics (strain relaxation) of adjacent GFP-labeled cell edges (with time resolution down to 2 ms). The recoils are consistently fit best by a double exponential decay with one time constant around 80 ms and the other around 1.2 s. The initial recoil velocities are in the range of 10-20 $\mu $m/s. We observe the same biphasic strain relaxation in multiple (N = 60) embryos at different developmental stages. Both recoil time constants are much longer than either the plasma lifetime or the duration of cavitation.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2007.MAR.W35.2