Surface Topology Engineering of Membranes for the Mechanical Investigation of the Tubulin Homologue FtsZ

Abstract

Bending over backward: Despite their small size, bacteria display highly organized cytoskeletal structures. Using microfabricated supports for model membranes, mechanical features of FtsZ (blue hexagons) filaments, a key component of bacterial cell division, can be addressed. Studying the curvature of an FtsZ filament into a groove or around a capillary (see picture) helps to understand its mechanics.