Image Analysis and Model of Cytoskeletal Filament Density of C17.2 Cells

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) have great potential in the biomedical field as a way to deliver materials into the body. However, the long-term effects on the body are unknown, especially in regards to the cytoskeletal filaments. Many cellular functions such as differentiation, cell shape, and motility rely on the aid of filaments, such as actin and nestin. Recent studies have demonstrated that internal and external stimuli can affect these filaments thus affecting cellular behavior. In this project, neural stem cells, specifically C17.2 cells were used and the distribution of the cytoskeletal filaments were modeled. A data set was created through Filament Sensor, a program created by Benjamin Eltzner, and ImageJ, to quantitatively process and enhance images. This poster will look into the distribution of actin and nestin throughout the cell. Future work will look at how SWCNTs affect the distribution of these filaments.