Spreading dynamics and force generation in blood platelets

Blood platelets are highly important in blood clotting. They spread on surfaces and strongly change their shape. Furthermore, they generate forces and transfer them to the environment. The aim of this project is to understand the cytoskeletal mechanisms behind this dynamic adaption to the new function. We measure the cell morphology as well as the cellular force fields at high spatial and temporal resolution. We use substrates of different stiffness as well as topography to mimic the situation in injured blood vessels.