Colloquium: Physics of Red Blood Cell Shapes by Dr. Ranjan Mukhopadhyay, Clark University
Science / Technology - Colloquium
| Date & Time: |
Monday, November 29, 2004 4:00 PM-5:00 PM |
|
|---|---|---|
| Suggested Audiences: | College | |
| Location: Find Local Food & Accommodations |
WPI: Olin Hall 107 100 Institute Road Worcester, MA 01609-2280 |
|
| Cost: | Free | |
| Sponsored by: | WPI Physics Department, Dr. Rafael Garcia | |
| Description: | A mature human red blood cell normally assumes the shape of a flattened biconcave disc. However, under a variety of chemical or physical treatments, the cell undergoes a quasi-universal sequence of reversible shape transformations. Since a red blood cell has no internal structure, its shape is encoded in the mechanical properties of its membrane. Using a simple physical model we show how the full sequence of shapes can be driven by variation in a single control parameter. Our predicted shapes are in surprisingly detailed agreement with observations. Our results make it possible to use shape transformations as a quantitative tool to probe the physics and biochemistry of cell membranes. | |
| More Information: |
E-mail:
garcia@wpi.edu
Phone: 508-831-5342 Entered by: WPI Physics Department (physics@wpi.edu) |
|
Local Restaurants
Red designates the event's location | The blue dot designates the Consortium Bus stop
Created: August 26, 2004 at 10:02 AM
The events posted on the Social Web are the creations of its users. Please contact the person posting the event with your questions or concerns. Commercial use of this content without the prior expressed written permission of the Social Web is strictly prohibited. See Legal Notice
