Institut für Biophysik

Researchers from the Institute for Biophysics (Department of Nanobiotechnology) in collaboration with the group of Prof. Maria Teresa Miras-Portugal (Univ. Complutense Madrid, Spain), have employed Atomic Force Microscopy to detect and evaluate the impact of selective stimulation on native nucleotide receptors on the mechanical response of both endothelial cells and astrocytes.

Dr Jagoba Iturri and Professor José Luis Toca-Herrera from the Institute for Biophysics (Department of Nanobiotechnology) have studied, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), the mechanical response of endothelial cells upon treatment with cytoskeleton-disrupting drugs (CK-869 and Jasplakinolide). Mechanical properties were measured by deformation at two different ranges by means of complementary Optical Tweezers and Atomic Force Microscopy techniques.

The work "Measuring (biological) materials mechanics with atomic force microscopy. 2. Influence of the loading rate and applied force (colloidal particles)" by Andreas Weber, Barbara Zbiral, Jagoba Iturri, Rafael Benitez and José L. Toca‐Herrera from Institute for Biophysics shows the non‐linear dependence of cell mechanical properties on loading rate when using atomic force microscopy.

In the work, "Nanostructured scaffolds based on bioresorbable polymers and graphene oxide induce the aligned migration and accelerate the neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells", the fabrication and characterization of biodegradable nanostructured poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) is described. These scaffolds, either with or without graphene oxide (GO) functionalization, support the alignment, growth, migration and differentiation of neural stem and progenitor cells without a need of a laminin coating.

Seed encapsulation in hard shells is common for protection and dispersal. In their article "Topological Interlocking and Geometric Stiffening as Complementary Strategies for Strong Plant Shells", the research group led by Notburga Gierlinger from Institute for Biophysics reveal previously unknown functional interrelations between the structure, geometry, and mechanics in nutshells. They found that simple geometric modifications, such as the development of puzzle-shaped instead of round cells, and small spherical shells instead of large ellipsoidal shells, increase the fracture resistance of hard plant shells resource-efficiently.

Dr. Jagoba Iturri and Prof. Dr. José L. Toca-Herrera, from the Institute for Biophysics, will edit the Special Issue Entitled “Applied Physics in Cancer Cells” for Biology Journal, collecting recent advances in applied physics methodologies (i.e. scanning probe microscopy, cytomechanics and adhesive properties, electrical properties and magnetic fields, etc) for the characterization and diagnosis of cancerous cells and tissues.