Cell volume regulation - the search for a volume sensor

细胞体积调节-体积传感器的研究动物细胞体积是决定各种细胞功能的重要因素，包括细胞生长和死亡、离子转运和细胞代谢。细胞在许多病理条件下改变其体积，例如脑损伤，糖尿病并发症和其他疾病。细胞体积通过膜转运蛋白和代谢过程的激活进行严格调节，这些代谢过程提供细胞内分子（渗透压调节剂）和水含量的净损失或增加。一个主要的差距，但是，存在于我们的知识细胞如何检测体积扰动。细胞体积传感器的识别仍然是细胞体积调节领域中最重要的挑战，并且该研究领域的进展主要受到缺乏适当的方法来监测单个活细胞的体积变化的阻碍。我们的实验室最近发明了一种新方法，可以对单个活细胞进行三维成像。在所提出的研究计划中，我们建议进一步改进我们的原型单细胞体积监测系统，并将其应用于阐明细胞体积传感机制。这项研究计划有望在单细胞成像技术方面实现创新，并使我们对细胞如何感知其体积变化的理解取得显着进展。探索这些机制对于充分理解正常和病理条件下广泛的相关细胞过程至关重要。这项研究的性质包括细胞生理学，细胞生物学，显微成像，腔室设计和软件开发将使我们能够以多学科的方式培养学生。

Cell volume regulation - the search for a volume sensorAnimal cell volume is an important factor that defines various cellular functions, including cell growth and death, ion transport, and cell metabolism. Cells change their volume in many pathological conditions, such as brain injuries, diabetic complications and other disorders. Cell volume is tightly regulated via activation of membrane transporters and metabolic processes that provide a net loss or gain of intracellular molecules (osmolytes) and water content. A major gap, however, exists in our knowledge of how cells detect volume perturbations. Identification of the cell volume sensor remains the most significant challenge in the field of cell volume regulation, and progress in this research area is mainly hindered by the lack of appropriate methods to monitor volume changes of single, living cells. Our laboratory has recently invented a novel method which allows imaging single, live cells in 3 dimensions. In the proposed research program we propose to further improve our prototype single-cell volume-monitoring system and apply it to elucidate cell volume-sensing mechanism(s). This research program promises both innovation in single-cell imaging techniques and notable advancement of our understanding of how cells sense changes in their volume. Exploration of these mechanisms is essential for full understanding of a broad range of related cellular processes in normal and pathological conditions. The nature of this research encompassing cell physiology, cell biology, microscopy imaging, chamber design and software development will allow us to train students in a multidisciplinary manner.