@phdthesis{Erdmann2005,
  author    = {Erdmann, Thorsten},
  title     = {Stochastic dynamics of adhesion clusters under force},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-5564},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2005},
  abstract  = {Adhesion of biological cells to their environment is mediated by two-dimensional clusters of specific adhesion molecules which are assembled in the plasma membrane of the cells. Due to the activity of the cells or external influences, these adhesion sites are usually subject to physical forces. In recent years, the influence of such forces on the stability of cellular adhesion clusters was increasingly investigated. In particular, experimental methods that were originally designed for the investigation of single bond rupture under force have been applied to investigate the rupture of adhesion clusters. The transition from single to multiple bonds, however, is not trivial and requires theoretical modelling. Rupture of biological adhesion molecules is a thermally activated, stochastic process. In this work, a stochastic model for the rupture and rebinding dynamics of clusters of parallel adhesion molecules under force is presented. In particular, the influence of (i) a constant force as it may be assumed for cellular adhesion clusters is investigated and (ii) the influence of a linearly increasing force as commonly used in experiments is considered. Special attention is paid to the force-mediated cooperativity of parallel adhesion bonds. Finally, the influence of a finite distance between receptors and ligands on the binding dynamics is investigated. Thereby, the distance can be bridged by polymeric linker molecules which tether the ligands to a substrate.},
  subject      = {Biophysik},
  language  = {en}
}