Extracting, quantifying, and comparing dynamical and biomechanical properties of living matter through single particle tracking

Title data

Scott, Shane ; Weiss, Matthias ; Selhuber-Unkel, Christine ; Barooji, Younes F. ; Sabri, Adal ; Erler, Janine T. ; Metzler, Ralf ; Oddershede, Lene B.:
Extracting, quantifying, and comparing dynamical and biomechanical properties of living matter through single particle tracking.
In: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. Vol. 25 (2023) Issue 3 . - pp. 1513-1537.
ISSN 1463-9084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CP01384C

Official URL:

Abstract in another language

A panoply of new tools for tracking single particles and molecules has led to an explosion of experimental data, leading to novel insights into physical properties of living matter governing cellular development and function, health and disease. In this Perspective, we present tools to investigate the dynamics and mechanics of living systems from the molecular to cellular scale via single-particle techniques. In particular, we focus on methods to measure, interpret, and analyse complex data sets that are associated with forces, materials properties, transport, and emergent organisation phenomena within biological and soft-matter systems. Current approaches, challenges, and existing solutions in the associated fields are outlined in order to support the growing community of researchers at the interface of physics and the life sciences. Each section focuses not only on the general physical principles and the potential for understanding living matter, but also on details of practical data extraction and analysis, discussing limitations, interpretation, and comparison across different experimental realisations and theoretical frameworks. Particularly relevant results are introduced as examples. While this Perspective describes living matter from a physical perspective, highlighting experimental and theoretical physics techniques relevant for such systems, it is also meant to serve as a solid starting point for researchers in the life sciences interested in the implementation of biophysical methods.

Further data

Item Type:	Article in a journal
Refereed:	Yes
Institutions of the University:	Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science > Department of Physics > Chair Experimental Physics I - Physics of Living Matter > Chair Experimental Physics I - Physics of Living Matter - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Matthias Weiss Faculties Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science > Department of Physics Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science > Department of Physics > Chair Experimental Physics I - Physics of Living Matter
Result of work at the UBT:	Yes
DDC Subjects:	500 Science > 530 Physics 500 Science > 570 Life sciences, biology
Date Deposited:	23 Jan 2023 10:09
Last Modified:	23 Jan 2023 10:09
URI:	https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/73480