Kombinierte Rasterkraft- und Konfokalmikroskopie zur Untersuchung von Struktur-Funktionsbeziehungen in Zellen und Gewebe auf der Mikro- und der Nanometerskala

Using the proposed device combination of an atomic force microscope (AFM) and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), the relationship between the structure and biomechanics of the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix (ECM) is to be examined, in particular, using indentation measurements (IT-AFM) and confocal microscopy. The focus here is on the influence of biomechanics on cell behaviour and on structure formation, morphogenesis and pathogenesis of tissue. In this process, a sufficiently high density of measurement points must be achieved during the IT-AFM measurements, even with large measurement ranges (up to 100 x 100 µm), which contain, for example, entire cells or relevant tissue regions. This is to facilitate a molecular resolution and thus a unique assignment of the contributions of different components of the cytoskeleton or ECM to the cell or tissue mechanics. To this end, a modern AFM is required, which facilitates a quick recording of large force maps with a high spatial resolution. Furthermore, a modern CLSM with high spatial resolution and the ability to examine - using fluorescence microscopy - even deeper layers, for example in tissue sections or tissue constructs is also required in order to assign the AFM data to the molecular components of the cytoskeleton or the ECM.