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Cell Rheology The mechanical properties of the bacterium and how they regulate cell growth. Rico Rojas Huang and Theriot Labs. Goal: To measure and understand how cell growth depends on the osmotic pressure within the cell. Vibrio.
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Cell Rheology The mechanical properties of the bacterium and how they regulate cell growth Rico Rojas Huang and Theriot Labs
Goal: To measure and understand how cell growth depends on the osmotic pressure within the cell. Vibrio
The osmotic pressure within bacteria is much higher than atmospheric pressure. Morse Equation Gram negatives: P ~ 1 atm Gram positives: P ~ 10 atm
The bacterial cell wall is a cross-linked polymeric gel that encloses the cell. Polysaccharides Polypeptides Gan et al., 2008 Bacillus
Mechanical stress the in cell wall balances the turgor pressure and stretches the wall. ε = strain =Δl/le Bacillus Does stress also determine strain rate of the cell wall, i.e., growth rate of the cell?
Ball-and-Spring Model of the Cell Wall χ Cross-Link Conc. ξ Mesh Size Spring Constant Rate of Cross-Link Dissociation Strain Rate
Bacteria have a number of mechanisms for regulating their turgor. Wood, 2006
Biological materials have complex mechanical properties. ActinRheology A Rheometer Koenderink et al., 2006
Characterizing the response of cells to changes in osmolarity – the “Cell Rheometer.”
Raw Data: length vs. time T=30 s
Strain rate vs. time n=32
The outer membrane may bear significant stress PlasmolysisDissolution of outer membrane Plasmolyzed Pressurized Lysed
Comparative study B. subtilis
Highly non-linear osmoregulation in Gram-positive species B. subtilis E. coli
Too simple a model I. Constitutive Equation { { Elasticity Growth II. Morse Equation III. Osmoregulation
For this year: • Finish characterizing the mechanics of the cell wall and osmoregulatory mechanisms. • Write cell-scale model that integrates these with growth/wall synthesis. Jen Hsin