APS March Meeting 2016
Volume 61, Number 2
Monday–Friday, March 14–18, 2016;
Baltimore, Maryland
Session F33: The Physics of Confined Structural Fluids II
11:15 AM–2:15 PM,
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Room: 336
Sponsoring
Unit:
DPOLY
Chair: Erik Watkins, UC - Davis
Abstract ID: BAPS.2016.MAR.F33.6
Abstract: F33.00006 : Understanding dynamic changes in live cell adhesion with neutron reflectometry
12:39 PM–1:15 PM
Preview Abstract
Abstract
Author:
Ann Junghans
(Los Alamos National Laboratory)
Understanding the structure and functionality of biological systems on a
nanometer-resolution and short temporal scales is important for solving
complex biological problems, developing innovative treatment, and advancing
the design of highly functionalized biomimetic materials. For example,
adhesion of cells to an underlying substrate plays a crucial role in
physiology and disease development, and has been investigated with great
interest for several decades. In the talk, we would like to highlight recent
advances in utilizing neutron scattering to study bio-related structures in
dynamic conditions ($e.g.$ under the shear flow) including \textit{in-situ} investigations of the
interfacial properties of living cells.
The strength of neutron reflectometry is its non-pertubative nature, the
ability to probe buried interfaces with nanometer resolution and its
sensitivity to light elements like hydrogen and carbon. That allows us to
study details of cell - substrate interfaces that are not accessible with
any other standard techniques.
We studied the adhesion of human brain tumor cells (U251) to quartz
substrates and their responses to the external mechanical forces. Such cells
are isolated within the central nervous system which makes them difficult to
reach with conventional therapies and therefore making them highly invasive.
Our results reveal changes in the thickness and composition of the adhesion
layer (a layer between the cell lipid membrane and the quartz substrate),
largely composed of hyaluronic acid and associated proteoglycans, when the
cells were subjected to shear stress.
Further studies will allow us to determine more conditions triggering
changes in the composition of the bio-material in the adhesion layer. This,
in turn, can help to identify changes that correlate with tumor
invasiveness, which can have significant medical impact for the development
of targeted anti-invasive therapies.
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2016.MAR.F33.6