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Vimentin networks at tunable ion-concentration in microfluidic drops
Christian Dammann1, Bernd Nöding, Sarah Köster
1Institute for X-Ray Physics and Courant Research Centre "Nano-Spectroscopy and X-Ray Imaging," Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
Biomicrofluidics
|June 2, 2012
Summary
This study developed a microfluidic device to precisely control the chemical environment of biological samples. The device revealed how magnesium ions influence vimentin intermediate filament networks, causing increased compaction with higher concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Biological system structure and function are critically dependent on their chemical surroundings.
- Investigating these chemical influences requires precise control over the microenvironment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and utilize a microfluidic device for encapsulating biological systems in picoliter droplets with tunable chemical compositions.
- To quantitatively study the impact of divalent ions, specifically magnesium, on vimentin intermediate filament networks.
Main Methods:
- Development of a polydimethylsiloxane-based microfluidic device for creating picoliter droplets.
- Encapsulation of biological systems (vimentin networks) within the droplets.
- Controlled tuning of chemical composition (magnesium concentration) across individual droplets.
- Immobilization of droplets for microscopy imaging and long-time studies.
- Quantitative analysis of network morphology in response to varying magnesium concentrations.
Main Results:
- Increasing magnesium concentration led to more pronounced compaction of vimentin intermediate filament networks.
- Distinct morphologies were observed: freely fluctuating networks at 5-10 mM magnesium, and fully aggregated networks at 16 mM magnesium.
- Direct imaging demonstrated the dose-dependent effect of magnesium on fluorescently tagged vimentin.
Conclusions:
- The microfluidic device offers exceptional controllability for systematic studies of biological interactions.
- Magnesium ions play a significant role in regulating the structural organization of vimentin networks.
- This approach enables detailed investigation into how chemical environments affect biological system behavior.
