Physical processes during T cell search, polarization and killing (A03)

• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: since 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 200049484

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells eliminate tumor cells or pathogen infected cells. Successful killing comprises several consecutive stages: activation of the killer cell, target search in an in-homogeneous environment, polarization upon target contact, and delivery of the cytotoxic material. In each stage physical processes can be identified that A3 aims to understand in collaboration with other CRC pro-jects. In particular, A3 will focus on the following aspects: 1) Chemotactic search and collective search strategies, 2) T cell migration in synthetic and controllable environments like collagen matrices and obstacle parks, 3) force transmission and mechanical interactions of T cells in collagen matrices, 4) centrosome relo-cation during formation of the immunological synapse (IS) and actin generated forces at the IS, and 5) kill-ing strategies.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1027: Physical Modelling of Non-Equilibrium Processes in Biological Systems
• Applicant Institution: Universität des Saarlandes
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Heiko Rieger