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SUMMARY:Force generation at dynamic microtubule ends - Prof Marileen Dogte
 rom\, FOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics\, AmsterdamThe Nether
 lands
DTSTART:20080523T131500Z
DTEND:20080523T141500Z
UID:TALK11630@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Jurij Kotar
DESCRIPTION:Microtubules are stiff\, dynamic protein polymers that provide
  a mechanical framework (cytoskeleton) to living cells. Their growth and s
 hrinkage generates pushing and pulling forces in the piconewton range that
  play a role in a variety of cellular motility processes. I will present i
 n vivo as well as in vitro experimental techniques that we use to study fo
 rce generation by single microtubules. In fission yeast cells\, we use aut
 omated image analysis techniques to show how force generation regulates th
 e dynamics of microtubules in interaction with the cell ends. In vitro\, w
 e use an optical-tweezers based technique to study directly the molecular 
 details of the microtubule growth process\, as well as the forces that are
  generated at the dynamic microtubule end. Specifically\, I will show rece
 nt results on the interaction of dynamic microtubule ends with purified dy
 nein motor proteins that are immobilized on microfabricated barriers. In c
 ells\, pulling forces generated on microtubule ends by the minus-end direc
 ted motor protein dynein play an important role in the positioning of the 
 mitotic spindle\, for example in budding yeast and C elegans embryos. Our 
 results suggest that\, on its own\, dynein attached to a surface can captu
 re dynamic microtubule plus ends and generate pulling forces on shrinking 
 microtubules in an ATP-dependent way. 
LOCATION:Small Lecture Theatre\, Cavendish Laboratory
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