I work on elucidating the interactions of cells and there environment focusing especially on the role of the pericellular coat enveloping many mammalian cells. This highly hydrated layer composed of flexible hyaluronan polymers and proteins plays a vital role in cell proliferation, motility and embryogenesis. While the molecular interactions are intensively studied, the micromechanical structure remains poorly understood. Therefore, we perform micro-rheological measurements within this layer on living chondrocytes and obtained structural information with confocal fluorescent microscopy (carried out in cooperation with Uwe Rauch, Lund University).

The project is benefiting tremendeously from Tabea Mundinger’s student project as well as from work carried out by Martin Etzrodt, Valentin Hagel, Daniel Barzan (all: University of Heidelberg) and Yvonne Schön.