Cell Membrane Mechanics

Project Description

Cells are able to cope with large mechanical stresses in their environment even though they’re enveloped by a fragile plasma membrane that is very soft and only of molecular thickness. Many organisms have adapted protective mechanisms that mechanically strengthen the cellular container. We study lipid-based protection strategies used by bacteria and archae, as well as protein-based strategies used by animal cells. To this end, we rebuild cell-sized biomimetic lipid vesicles and characterize the mechanical behavior of both reconstituted and cell-derived membranes by a technique called micropipette aspiration. In the process, we are also developing methods to make vesicles and encapsulate protein solutions under physiological conditions.