Effects of Rho GTPases on Membrane Mechanics

In my research, I will construct magnetic transducer equipment to measure the force required to detach a magnetic particle from the cell membrane of outer hair cells. Data from the magnetic tweezers experiments will be related to cell viscosity using standard mathematical models. Specifically, I will examine the effects of specific G protein signaling cascades on cell viscosity. These cascades have diverse effects within cells, including altering the cell’s mechanical properties by modulating actin cytoskeletal polymerization. By blocking or inhibiting discrete steps in the cascades, I hope to correlate specific cellular events to changes in cell membrane mechanics and cell viscosity.