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Vesicles driven by dynein and kinesin exhibit directional reversals without regulators:
Ashwin I. D’Souza, Rahul Grover, Gina A. Monzon, Ludger Santen and Stefan Diez: Vesicles driven by dynein and kinesin exhibit directional reversals without regulators. Nat. Commun. 14, 7532 (2023).Adhesiveness of Staphylococcus aureus cells is unevenly distributed across the cell surface:
C. Spengler, E. Maikranz, B. Glatz, M.A. Klatt, H. Heintz, M. Bischoff, L. Santen, A. Fery and K. Jacobs: “The adhesion capability of Staphylococcus aureus cells is heterogeneously distributed over the cell envelope”, Soft Matter, 2023 Advance Article.
Collaborative Research Center 1027
A8: Motor-driven transport of intracellular cargo: Cooperativity and control
In this project we address several aspects of the cooperative dynamics of molecular motors. We analyze, both experimentally and theoretically, the dynamics of rigid and vesicular cargo which is propelled by teams of dynein and kinesin motors along microtubules (MTs). The knowledge gained in this part of the project will be applied to identify possible strategies for external motility control in intracellular and artificial transport systems. We will focus on the influence of posttranslational modifications of MTs on the motor-dynamics, as well as on the mechanical properties of motor-driven MTs.
B1: Modeling biofilms - proteins and bacteria
How do dental biofilms survive antimicrobial treatments (e.g. brushing, mouth wash)? Mechanical and adhesive forces in biofilms help to protect the bacteria and regulate their behavior but how they do so is poorly understood. Studying this in natural biofilms is daunting due to microscale heterogeneities in their structure. To simplify this task, this project will develop artificial biofilms by embedding bacteria in synthetic hydrogels with mechanical and adhesive properties mimicking dental biofilms. Influence of these properties on bacterial behavior (growth, viability, metabolism, etc.) will be determined and the efficacy of toothbrushes/anti-biofilm agents to remove these artificial biofilms will be assessed in vitro.