Fluorescent-Magnetic Nanomanipulators for Cytoskeletal Mechanical Investigations

用于细胞骨骼力学研究的荧光磁性纳米操纵器该奖项的研究目标是开发一种新的方法学来研究机械力在细胞迁移中的作用。该方法由荧光磁性纳米机械手组成，通过定制设计的磁性仪器刺激细胞-S内部支架(即细胞骨架)。细胞反应是通过纳米操纵器观察到的？荧光性质。这项研究将重点研究伤口愈合过程中至关重要的细胞(即成纤维细胞)的迁移。将对荧光-磁性纳米操纵器进行表征和优化，以与磁性仪器相互作用；将展示纳米操纵器向细胞内部输送的概念和操作潜力；将评估纳米操纵器施加的力对成纤维细胞迁移的影响。成果包括优化的纳米操纵器和磁性仪器，细胞内力应用方法的验证，成纤维细胞模型研究结果的记录，研究生和本科生水平的工程学学生教育，以及由当地科学博物馆COSI传播的基于这项研究的公立学校推广模块。如果成功，这项研究将提供新的工具来探索机械力对蛋白质表达和细胞过程的影响，特别是那些细胞迁移的基础。细胞迁移是伤口愈合、胎儿发育和癌症转移等多种生物学事件的重要组成部分。这项研究将提供一种方法，用迄今研究过的最小的机械手(~10-50 nm)向亚细胞组件施加力，其大小与许多感兴趣的组件(如蛋白质受体、细胞骨架元件)相似。研究成果将通过期刊出版物、会议报告以及与地区科学博物馆的互动向公众传播。研究生和本科生将参与这项研究，研究结果也将通过课堂材料传播。

Fluorescent-Magnetic Nanomanipulators for Cytoskeletal Mechanical InvestigationsAbstractThe research objective of this award is to develop a new methodology to examine the role of mechanical force in cell migration. The approach consists of fluorescent-magnetic nanomanipulators that impart force to the cell?s internal scaffolding (i.e., the cytoskeleton) through stimulation by custom-designed magnetic instrumentation. Cell response is observed via the nanomanipulators? fluorescence property. This research will focus on examining migration of cells crucial to the wound healing process (i.e., fibroblasts). Fluorescent-magnetic nanomanipulators will be characterized and optimized to interact with magnetic instrumentation; proof of concept of nanomanipulator delivery to the cell interior and manipulation potential will be demonstrated; and the effect of force applied by nanomanipulators on cell migration will be evaluated in fibroblasts. Deliverables include optimized nanomanipulators and magnetic instrumentation, validation of the intracellular force application method, documentation of research results in the fibroblast model, engineering student education at the graduate and undergraduate level, and a module based on this research for public school outreach disseminated by COSI, a local science museum.If successful, this research will provide new tools to explore the influence of mechanical force on protein expression and cellular processes, in particular those that underlie cell migration. Cell migration is a critical component of several biological events including wound healing, fetal development, and cancer metastasis. This research would provide methods to apply force to subcellular components with the smallest manipulators yet studied (~ 10-50 nm), sizes that are similar to many of the components of interest (e.g., protein receptor, cytoskeletal element). Research results will be disseminated through journal publications, conference presentations, and also, to the general public, through interactions with an area science museum. Graduate and undergraduate students will participate in the research, and results will be disseminated through classroom materials as well.