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SUMMARY:The statistical mechanics of single cells - Professor Vikram Deshp
 ande\, CUED
DTSTART:20160422T130000Z
DTEND:20160422T140000Z
UID:TALK65518@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Julia Schmidt
DESCRIPTION:Complex bio-chemical processes attempt to maintain constant ti
 me-averaged concentrations of a range of proteins within cells in a proces
 s commonly referred to as cellular homeostasis. These chemical processes  
 cause fluctuations of the state of cells that depends on the extra-cellula
 r environment. A statistical mechanics view to model these fluctuations wi
 ll be presented which will enable a unifying treatment of range of dispara
 te cellular phenomena. First the probability of observing a cell in a so-c
 alled spread micro-state is estimated in terms of the free-energy of that 
 state using the basic idea of Gibbs entropy. Next a model is presented to 
 estimate this free-energy. The model includes stress-fiber reorganisation 
 and the associated contractility by considering the energetics of the acti
 n/myosin functional units that constitute the stress-fibers. This model th
 en used to elucidate the range of states over which the cell can fluctuate
  in a particular environment and the probability of observing each of thos
 e states. Finally some initial predictions are presented for a range of ex
 perimentally observed phenomena using this approach. This includes: (i) th
 e spreading and shape of cells as a function of the stiffness of the subst
 rate\; (ii) durotaxis whereby cells tends to migrate guided by rigidity gr
 adients on substrates and (iii) differentiation of stem cells guided by th
 e stiffness of substrates and as well as cell shape as controlled by the c
 hemical environment.
LOCATION:Oatley Seminar Room\, Department of Engineering
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