Research in the EU: How cells leave their mark!

Research in the EU: How cells leave their mark!

Research in the area of ​​cell migration plays a central role in the life sciences, particularly given its relevance to developments in medicine and biotechnology. Dr. Victoria Guglielmotti, postdoc at the Chair of Biophysics FAU, uses her project to investigate the subtle footprints of cells and their effects on cell behavior. This innovative research is funded by a European Postdoctoral Fellowship, which supports excellent young researchers in the EU. Guglielmotti compares her research visually with the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel, in which the protagonists leave breadcrumbs to find their way.

Their goal is to decipher the traces that cells leave behind and to find out how these traces influence the cells' responses. A central element of their investigation is that extracellular matrix (ECM), which can be described as a complex environment. This matrix is ​​made up of various fibers that are embedded in a basic substance. The ECM is not only important for anchoring cells, but also plays a crucial role in tissue architecture and cell dynamics. It influences the movements of cells, which are essential for processes such as wound healing and tissue repair.

Research perspectives and biomedical applications

As part of her doctoral thesis at the Institute of Chemical Nanosystems at the National University of San Martin in Argentina, Guglielmotti was able to demonstrate how cells react to various stimuli and the role of the ECM in this. These findings have the potential to be used in the development of new biomedical technologies, for example in the development of sensors for early disease diagnosis. Research at FAU not only looks at the direct cellular reactions, but also the interactions between the remodeling of the ECM and cell behavior.

Guglielmotti plans to analyze the biochemical and mechanical properties of the footprints left by the cells and further investigate their role in cell organization. Cell migration is crucial not only for the development of tissues but also for the progression of diseases, such as cancer, where cells can migrate to undesirable locations. The EU research project MATRIX ASSAY is also concerned with cell migration and is developing an instrument to estimate their movements on surfaces.

This innovative method requires the use of specialized tissue cultures coated with collagen fibers to mimic the natural conditions of the ECM. The knowledge gained could contribute to a better understanding of cellular processes and possible therapeutic applications. The MATRIXASSAY project also shows that cell migration depends heavily on the topographical properties of the ECM.

The importance of the European Postdoctoral Fellowship for Guglielmotti's scientific career cannot be overstated. It not only promotes their research, but also supports their development into a leader in both academia and industry. Their work will provide crucial insights into the connections between cell migration and the ECM and could pave the way for future biomedical applications.