FCS experiments to estimate Ca2+ diffusion (and buffering) in intact cells.

SILVINA PONCE DAWSON

Seminario; Seminario de grupo en UCI; 2017

Calcium signals are ubiquitous. Their versatility relies on the variety of spatio-temporal distributions that the intracellular calcium signal can display. Both the space and time range of action of the signals depend on the rate at which the ions diffuse. Estimates of calcium diffusion have been done over 20 years ago using cytosolic extracts. Being able to measure calcium diffusion in intact cells is most difficult because cells have several trapping mechanisms to reduce the calcium concentration that also hinder the transport of the ions. In this talk I will describe the theoretical and experimental works that we have done to estimate the free diffusion coefficient of calcium using Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy in Xenopus Laevis oocytes.