Research Report 2010 - MDC

Graduate StudentsYinth Andrea Bernal-Sierra*Li-Yang ChiangHenning FrenzelRegina Hartl*Liudmilla LapatsinaSören MarkworthDamir Omerbasic*Rui WangTechnical AssistantsKathleen Barda *Liana Kosizki*Anke ScheerHeike ThränhardtAnja Wegner*SecretariatManuela Brandenburg*part of the period reportedA single sensory neuron growing on a check patterned substrate. Top right (A) shows the stripes of laminin printedonto a glass surface. Note that different proteins can be printed in the vertical (red) or horizontal axis (green). (B )Phase contrast picture of a sensory neuron growing on the patterned substrate. Note that the neuron only growsneurites along the stripes to form a window like pattern of growth. In this picture the neuron was recorded with apatch pipette (RE) and the neurites can be mechanically stimulated with a nanomotor (MS). (C) The neurons wasfilled with a yellow dye via the recording pipette to show that neurites belong to the indicated cell. (D) Colour combineshowing the pattern together with the yellow neurons and its neurites.Neuronal nanodetection and micro-patterning,engineering sensory neurons for functionLi-Yang Chiang, Jing Hu, and Kate PooleThe mechanosensitive ion channels that are expressedby sensory can be measured using high-resolution electrophysiologytechniques. We have recently shown thatsuch ion channels in the membranes of cultured DRGneurons can be activated by stimuli in the nanometerrange. We have also gathered considerable evidencethat the mechanosensitive channels are actuallyopened via a protein tether that attaches to laminincontainingextracellular matrices. In order to study theinfluence of different extracellular matrices on mechanotransductionand to quantify the tiny forces that arerequired to open mechanosensitive channels we havestarted to a use variety of new micro-fabrication techniques.For example, we have used micro-patterning ofmatrix molecules in order force neurons in culture toadopt morphologies that better match the in vivo situation.We can also use such patterning to test the localinfluence of specific matrix molecules on transductionability or axon branching behavior. We have shown thatFunction and Dysfunction of the Nervous System 163