Study Integrin Molecular Tension in Cell Adhesion, Migration and Platelet Contraction
| Date/Time: | Thursday, 08 Feb 2018 from 4:10 pm to 5:00 pm |
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| Location: | Phys 0003 |
| Phone: | 515-294-5441 |
| Channel: | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Actions: | Download iCal/vCal | Email Reminder |
Abstract - Integrins are the major membrane proteins providing physical cell-matrix linkage and transmitting cellular force. Such force functions as both mechanical drive and regulative signal in various critical cellular functions including cell adhesion, migration and contraction. However, the tension transmitted by integrin molecules (termed as integrin tension), as the fundamental mechanical signal in integrin signaling, has been difficult to visualize and characterize, resulting in the poor understanding of its role in many cellular functions. This presentation will demonstrate innovative molecular tension tools developed in our lab. With these tools, we measure, map and manipulate integrin tension in live cells with piconewton (pN) sensitivity and submicron resolution. Our studies revealed the mechanical and regulative role of integrin tension in cell adhesion, cell migration and platelet contraction. A spin-off project studying membrane-anchored nuclease activity in cancer cells will also be presented.
Bio - Xuefeng Wang joined in the department of physics and astronomy at ISU in August 2015. He obtained Ph.D. of Physics from Purdue University in December 2009 and has been working as a postdoctoral research at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2010-2015. Currently he is doing research in the field of Biophysics with an emphasis on cell mechanics.