Biophysics and Molecular Materials
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von Willebrand Factor (vWF)

Force-sensing and -activated molecules are found in a variety of biological processes. A remarkable example is the multimeric blood protein von Willebrand factor (VWF), which plays a central role in blood clotting. Large VWF multimers are able to sense elevated flow in the blood stream, e.g. in the case of an injured vessel wall, and respond with an increased affinity for blood platelets and collagen. Engaged by forces induced by flow anomalities, VWF can induce the formation of a hemostatic platelet plug at a site of vascular injury.vwfbig
By Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)-based single-molecule force measurements and high-resolution AFM imaging we characterize the molecular mechanisms that underlie VWF’s extraordinary force-sensing ability. Interestingly intramolecular interactions in VWF’s dimeric subunits that govern VWF’s mechanical resistance reveal a nontrivial pH dependency.

related Publications:
Biophys. J 2016, PNAS 2016, blood 2016Biophys. J 2013

We are part of the multidisciplinary research group SHENC, which combines medical and physiological expertise with both experimental and computational biophysical approaches in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of VWF’s function.

Willem Vanderlinden

Jan Lipfert
members of SHENC

This research is funded by: