BGU Physics Department
Colloquium, Dec. 20th, 2012
The bacterial chemosensory cluster: dynamics and function
Ady Vaknin,
Hebrew University
Living cells use dedicated molecular relies, known as sensory
receptors, to convert external cues into internal biochemical signals. In
several model systems, associations between sensors and their clustering are
thought to play an essential role in their function. A notable example is
the bacterial chemoreceptors, which control the swimming behavior of
bacterial cells along chemical gradients. Using fluorescence-based
techniques we study the biophysical and signaling properties of these
sensors in real time and in living cells. In this talk, I will discuss
possible advantages of receptor clusters formation and their dynamic
properties.