Home > Publications database > Competition between deformation and free volumequantified by 3D image analysis of red blood cell |
Conference Presentation (After Call) | FZJ-2023-03985 |
; ; ; ; ; ; ;
2023
Abstract: Cells in living organisms are subjected to mechanical strains caused by external forces like overcrowding, resulting in strong deformations that affect cell function. We study the interplay between deformation and crowding of red blood cells (RBCs) in dispersions of non-absorbing rod-like viruses. We identify a sequence of configurational transitions of RBC doublets, including configurations that can only be induced by long-ranged attraction: highly fluctuating T-shaped and face-to-face configurations at low, and doublets approaching a complete spherical configuration at high rod concentrations.Complementary simulations are used to explore different energy contributions to deformation as well as the stability of RBC doublet configurations. Our advanced analysis of 3D reconstructed confocal images of RBCs doublets quantifies the depletion interaction and the resulting deformation energy. Thus, we introduce a non-invasive method, high-throughput platform that is generally applicable to investigate the mechanical response of biological cells to external forces and characterize their mechanical properties.
![]() |
The record appears in these collections: |