10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
[15a-B410-7] Spatiotemporal Control of Formation of Microtubule Networks by Focused Laser Beam
Keywords:Laser trapping, Cell cytoskelton, Microtubule
In this work, ordered, dynamic microtubule networks from cytoskeletal protein, tubulin have been fabricated by utilizing photophysical effects (photon pressure and thermal elevation) with a focused laser beam. Various network structures of microtubules could be prepared depending on laser irradiation conditions. Furthermore, the aggregates could be dynamically driven in the presence of motor protein (kinesin) and chemical energy (ATP). We expect that the laser method can offer a new photophysical (not biochemical) means for the fabrication of dynamic cytoskeletal networks with desired structures, which can provide fundamental insights into the critical structures in the cytoskeletal networks that can regulate various dynamic cell functions.