Application of Traction Force Microscopy on Neuronal Migration

• Main Authors: Jia-Shing Cheng, 程家興
• Other Authors: Jin-Wu Tsai
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/82175498353668828669

碩士 === 國立陽明大學 === 腦科學研究所 === 103 === During brain development, neuronal migration is a key to form an organized cortex with six-layers of neurons. Focal adhesion has been known to play an important role in cell physiology and cell migration. Neurons also migrate through the developing tissue and form contact with the surrounding tissue. However, the mechanism of force generation during neuronal migration was not well established. We hypothesized that during neuronal migration, neurons interact with the environment in a dynamic manner. Traction force microscopy was used to determine the force distribution during different phases of neuronal migration. Neurons removed from the cortex of mouse embryos at embryonic day 17 (E17) was cultured on acrylamide gel containing fluorescent beads (200 nm in diameter). Time-lapse images were taken with fluorescent microscopy. Movements of the beads were then used to determine the force distribution during neuronal migration. We successfully cultured neurons on polyacrylamide gel and recorded the movement of fluorescent beads. This method we developed could be used to measure force distribution in migrating neurons.