60 https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/biophysik/groups/doebereiner/research/animal-cells Our research on animal cells en University of Bremen Wed, 20 May 2026 21:53:34 +0200 Wed, 20 May 2026 21:53:34 +0200 University of Bremen content-328841 Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:48:33 +0100 https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/biophysik/groups/doebereiner/research/animal-cells#c328841 <p>In their natural environment, fibroblast cells are adherently growing in an extracellular matrix to which they specifically bind by adhesion molecules. The spreading of cells on substrates can be studied in vitro by mimicking the extracellular matrix using cover slides that are coated with extracellular matrix molecules. During the spreading process cells undergo a dramatic change in morphology which is caused by an interplay of actin polymerization, membrane adhesion and membrane mechanics. </p> <p>We are interested in the mechanisms behind the numerous different forms of cellular motion that are observed during the spreading process, ranging from uniform protrusion to wave phenomena. We study the dynamics of morphology during cell spreading by use of contact-area-sensitive microscopy techniques like total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and reflection interference contrast microscopy that provide high resolution imaging data.</p> Content content-328842 Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:48:33 +0100 https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/biophysik/groups/doebereiner/research/animal-cells#c328842 <p>Cells have the ability to deform their plasma membrane to internalize extracellular matter. There are various different processes of that kind ranging from macropinocytosis over phagocytosis to invadopodia. Dorsal ruffling refers to a cell deformation on the dorsal side of adherent cells that resembles the class of endocytotic deformations. The biological role of dorsal ruffling is still debated, but it is known that the driving force leading to membrane deformation is actin polymerization.</p> <p>We are interested in the mechanisms that control the actin dynamics in dorsal ruffling. Recent research highlights the potential role of curved membrane proteins that are actin factors. Such proteins provide a coupling between the local membrane geometry and actin dynamics. We therefore study the three-dimensional membrane topology in conjunction with protein densities in detail. We further aim for the understanding of the role played by membrane mechanics and spontaneous curvature in dorsal ruffling.</p> Content