| Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK): a Central Regulating Protein of Cellular Mechanics Cell adhesion is essential for the survival of most cells. The cellular connection to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is necessary to build up tension and is therefore central to cell morphology and motility. This link is mediated by transmembrane proteins like integrins that bind to the ECM and intracellularly to focal adhesion complexes (FAC). FACs bind to cytoskeletal (CSK) proteins which are interconnected with the actomyosin network to enable intracellular force transduction. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a central protein in FACs, which is involved in several signaling cascades activated after adhesion and/or growth factor binding. To study the molecular mechanism of the focal adhesion protein, FAK in mechano-chemical force transduction, we intend to use the laser nanoscissor method in combination with magnetic tweezers in one experimental setup. In this cooperative attempt we will examine the influence of FAK and the actin cytoskeleton on the mechanical properties in wildtype mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) and will compare results with MEFs where FAK is knocked out (FAK-/-). | Project manager:
Prof. Wolfgang Goldmann, Ph.D., Sanjay Kumar, Ph.D.
Project participants:
Dipl.-Biol. Anna Klemm, Shamik Sen, Ph.D.
Duration: 1.1.2008 - 31.12.2009
Sponsored by:
Bavaria California Technology Center
Mitwirkende Institutionen:
Dept. of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley , CA, USA
Contact:
Goldmann, Wolfgang
Phone +49 (0) 9131 85-25605, Fax +49 (0) 9131 85-25601, E-Mail: wgoldmann@biomed.uni-erlangen.de
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