(476g) Repurposing Mechanosensitive Channels to Study Confined 3D Cell Migration

Biological membranes are involved in a large number of cellular processes including cell migration, membrane trafficking, and cell signaling. My lab is interested in studying the mechano-chemical responses of biological systems. we have reconstituted the function of a bacterial mechanosensitive channel MscL in mammalian cells. Using this system, we investigated the role of actin cytoskeleton in mediating local membrane tension that activates MscL. Cell migration in 3D confined environment has recently been shown to involve an osmotic engine mechanism where there is polarized water and ion influx at the leading edge and efflux at the trailing edge. We hypothesize that MscL expression could potentially disrupt the osmotic engine during confined migration. I will describe how we are repurposing MscL for studying cell migration in in vitro microfluidic and in vivo environments. We hope MscL can be used for drug delivery and for novel mechanotransduction.