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Kavishvar D, Ramachandran A. The yielding behaviour of human mucus. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 322:103049. [PMID: 38039907 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2023.103049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Mucus is a viscoelastic material with non-linear rheological properties such as a yield stress of the order of a few hundreds of millipascals to a few tens of pascals, due to a complex network of mucins in water along with non-mucin proteins, DNA and cell debris. In this review, we discuss the origin of the yield stress in human mucus, the changes in the rheology of mucus with the occurrence of diseases, and possible clinical applications in disease detection as well as cure. We delve into the domain of mucus rheology, examining both macro- and microrheology. Macrorheology involves investigations conducted at larger length scales (∼ a few hundreds of μm or higher) using traditional rheometers, which probe properties on a bulk scale. It is significant in elucidating various mucosal functions within the human body. This includes rejecting unwanted irritants out of lungs through mucociliary and cough clearance, protecting the stomach wall from the acidic environment as well as biological entities, safeguarding cervical canal from infections and providing a swimming medium for sperms. Additionally, we explore microrheology, which encompasses studies performed at length scales ranging from a few tens of nm to a μm. These microscale studies find various applications, including the context of drug delivery. Finally, we employ scaling analysis to elucidate a few examples in lung, cervical, and gastric mucus, including settling of irritants in lung mucus, yielding of lung mucus in cough clearance and cilial beating, spreading of exogenous surfactants over yielding mucus, swimming of Helicobacter pylori through gastric mucus, and lining of protective mucus in the stomach. The scaling analyses employed on the applications mentioned above provide us with a deeper understanding of the link between the rheology and the physiology of mucus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Durgesh Kavishvar
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Arun Ramachandran
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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2
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Xiao S, Riordon J, Lagunov A, Ghaffarzadeh M, Hannam T, Nosrati R, Sinton D. Human sperm cooperate to transit highly viscous regions on the competitive pathway to fertilization. Commun Biol 2023; 6:495. [PMID: 37149719 PMCID: PMC10164193 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04875-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human sperm compete for fertilization. Here, we find that human sperm, unexpectedly, cooperate under conditions mimicking the viscosity contrasts in the female reproductive tract. Sperm attach at the head region to migrate as a cooperative group upon transit into and through a high viscosity medium (15-100 cP) from low viscosity seminal fluid. Sperm groups benefit from higher swimming velocity, exceeding that of individual sperm by over 50%. We find that sperm associated with a group possess high DNA integrity (7% fragmentation index) - a stark contrast to individual sperm exhibiting low DNA integrity (> 50% fragmentation index) - and feature membrane decapacitation factors that mediate sperm attachment to form the group. Cooperative behaviour becomes less prevalent upon capacitation and groups tend to disband as the surrounding viscosity reduces. When sperm from different male sources are present, related sperm preferentially form groups and achieve greater swimming velocity, while unrelated sperm are slowed by their involvement in a group. These findings reveal cooperation as a selective mode of human sperm motion - sperm with high DNA integrity cooperate to transit the highly viscous regions in the female tract and outcompete rival sperm for fertilization - and provide insight into cooperation-based sperm selection strategies for assisted reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sa Xiao
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Jason Riordon
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Reza Nosrati
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - David Sinton
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada.
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Pernas S, Fernandez-Novo A, Barrajon-Masa C, Mozas P, Pérez-Villalobos N, Martín-Maldonado B, Oliet A, Astiz S, Pérez-Garnelo SS. Bull Semen Obtained on Beef Farms by Electroejaculation: Sperm Quality in the First Two Hours of Storing with Different Extenders and Holding Temperatures. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13091561. [PMID: 37174597 PMCID: PMC10177502 DOI: 10.3390/ani13091561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm quality decreases over time, so bull semen may need to be preserved after field collection. However, the effect of handling such semen samples from commercial farms and placing them in very short-term storage has not been elucidated. Therefore, ejaculate from 25 bulls from 1 dairy and 14 beef cattle farms were collected under farm conditions and evaluated for semen quality during the first two hours after collection. Two commercial extenders (AndroMed® and BIOXcell®) and two different storage temperatures (5 °C and room temperature) were used to evaluate the influence on semen quality and sperm kinetics in ejaculates grouped into three evaluation times, based on time since collection (Time 1: <75 min, n = 7; Time 2: 75-105 min, n = 11; and Time 3: 105-120 min, n = 7). Classical semen parameters, sperm motion kinetics by CASA and colony-forming units were assessed. The differences between both extenders in curvilinear and straight-line velocities (VCL and VSL) for the different time groups (Time 2 and Time 3) were statistically significant for p < 0.05. AndroMed® showed lower VSL, straightness and linearity in sperm compared to BIOXcell® (p < 0.05). In conclusion, AndroMed® induced more curvilinear movement, while BIOXcell® stimulated straighter motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Pernas
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odon, Spain
| | - Aitor Fernandez-Novo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odon, Spain
| | - Clara Barrajon-Masa
- Centro de Selección y Reproducción Animal Colmenar Viejo (IMIDRA-CENSYRA), 28770 Colmenar Viejo, Spain
| | - Patricia Mozas
- Centro de Selección y Reproducción Animal Colmenar Viejo (IMIDRA-CENSYRA), 28770 Colmenar Viejo, Spain
| | - Natividad Pérez-Villalobos
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odon, Spain
| | - Bárbara Martín-Maldonado
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odon, Spain
| | - Agustín Oliet
- Centro de Selección y Reproducción Animal Colmenar Viejo (IMIDRA-CENSYRA), 28770 Colmenar Viejo, Spain
| | - Susana Astiz
- Reproducción Animal (INIA-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Graziano M, Palit S, Yethiraj A, Immler S, Gage MJG, Purchase CF. Frequency-dependent viscosity of salmon ovarian fluid has biophysical implications for sperm-egg interactions. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:285939. [PMID: 36511132 PMCID: PMC10086386 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Gamete-level sexual selection of externally fertilising species is usually achieved by modifying sperm behaviour with mechanisms that alter the chemical environment in which gametes perform. In fish, this can be accomplished through the ovarian fluid, a substance released with the eggs at spawning. While the biochemical effects of ovarian fluid in relation to sperm energetics have been investigated, the influence of the physical environment in which sperm compete remains poorly explored. Our objective was therefore to gain insights on the physical structure of this fluid and potential impacts on reproduction. Using soft-matter physics approaches of steady-state and oscillatory viscosity measurements, we subjected wild Atlantic salmon ovarian fluids to variable shear stresses and frequencies resembling those exerted by sperm swimming through the fluid near eggs. We show that this fluid, which in its relaxed state is a gel-like substance, displays a non-Newtonian viscoelastic and shear-thinning profile, where the viscosity decreases with increasing shear rates. We concurrently find that this fluid obeys the Cox-Merz rule below 7.6 Hz and infringes it above this level, thus indicating a shear-thickening phase where viscosity increases provided it is probed gently enough. This suggests the presence of a unique frequency-dependent structural network with relevant implications for sperm energetics and fertilisation dynamics. This article has an associated ECR Spotlight interview with Marco Graziano.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Graziano
- Department of Biology, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1B 3X9, Canada.,Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Swomitra Palit
- Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Soft Matter Lab, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1B 3X7, Canada
| | - Anand Yethiraj
- Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Soft Matter Lab, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1B 3X7, Canada
| | - Simone Immler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J G Gage
- Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom.,Deceased
| | - Craig F Purchase
- Department of Biology, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1B 3X9, Canada
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Lavanya M, Selvaraju S, Krishnappa B, Krishnaswamy N, Nagarajan G, Kumar H. Microenvironment of the male and female reproductive tracts regulate sperm fertility: Impact of viscosity, pH, and osmolality. Andrology 2021; 10:92-104. [PMID: 34420258 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Terminally differentiated mammalian sperm are exposed to gradients of viscosity, pH, and osmolality both in the male and female reproductive tract during their perilous journey to quest the ovum. The complex physicochemical factors play an integral role in preparing sperm for the fertilization process. OBJECTIVES To elucidate the influence of the reproductive tract microenvironment especially viscosity, pH, and osmolality in regulating sperm functional and fertilization competence. MATERIALS AND METHODS The data used in this review were collected from the research papers and online databases focusing on the influence of viscosity, pH, and osmolality on sperm function. DISCUSSION The gradients of viscosity, pH, and osmolality exist across various segments of the male and female reproductive tract. The changes in the viscosity create a physical barrier, pH aid in capacitation and hyperactivation, and the osmotic stress selects a progressive sperm subpopulation for accomplishing fertilization. The sperm function tests are developed based on the concept that the male genotype is the major contributor to the reproductive outcome. However, recent studies demonstrate the significance of sperm genotype-environment interactions that are essentially contributing to reproductive success. Hence, it is imperative to assess the impact of physicochemical stresses and the adaptive ability of the terminally differentiated sperm, which in turn would improve the outcome of the assisted reproductive technologies and male fertility assessment. CONCLUSION Elucidating the influence of the reproductive tract microenvironment on sperm function provides newer insights into the procedures that need to be adopted for selecting fertile males for breeding, and ejaculates for the assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maharajan Lavanya
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru, India.,Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India
| | - Sellappan Selvaraju
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru, India
| | - Balaganur Krishnappa
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru, India
| | | | - Govindasamy Nagarajan
- Southern Regional Research Centre under ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (ICAR-CSWRI), Kodaikanal, India
| | - Harendra Kumar
- Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India
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Gaffney EA, Ishimoto K, Walker BJ. Modelling Motility: The Mathematics of Spermatozoa. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:710825. [PMID: 34354994 PMCID: PMC8329702 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.710825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In one of the first examples of how mechanics can inform axonemal mechanism, Machin's study in the 1950s highlighted that observations of sperm motility cannot be explained by molecular motors in the cell membrane, but would instead require motors distributed along the flagellum. Ever since, mechanics and hydrodynamics have been recognised as important in explaining the dynamics, regulation, and guidance of sperm. More recently, the digitisation of sperm videomicroscopy, coupled with numerous modelling and methodological advances, has been bringing forth a new era of scientific discovery in this field. In this review, we survey these advances before highlighting the opportunities that have been generated for both recent research and the development of further open questions, in terms of the detailed characterisation of the sperm flagellum beat and its mechanics, together with the associated impact on cell behaviour. In particular, diverse examples are explored within this theme, ranging from how collective behaviours emerge from individual cell responses, including how these responses are impacted by the local microenvironment, to the integration of separate advances in the fields of flagellar analysis and flagellar mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eamonn A. Gaffney
- Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kenta Ishimoto
- Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Benjamin J. Walker
- Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Hyakutake T, Sugita K, Ujifuku S, Sakurai R, Murakami R, Hayamizu Y. Experimental study on the effect of flow in microfluidic channel on bovine sperm navigation. J Biomech 2021; 118:110290. [PMID: 33581442 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The navigation mechanism of mammalian sperm in the female reproductive tract is unclear owing to its complex process. This study performed an in vitro experiment using the microfluidic channel with two reservoirs to investigate the effect of fluid flow on the swimming properties of the bovine sperm. The width and height of the manufactured channel were 200 and 20 μm, respectively. The flow in the microchannel occurs because of the hydraulic head difference between the two reservoirs. Sperm with positive rheotaxis proceed in the opposite direction of the flow in the channel after swimming up the downstream reservoir. This study focused on the effect of the flow in the microfluidic channel on sperm motility. It was observed that sperm mostly moved along the channel wall and accumulated near the wall away from the downstream reservoir. The existence of fluid flow in the channel brought about an increase in the ratio of the sperm with positive rheotaxis. Furthermore, the experimental results indicated that the motility of sperm swimming against the flow along the wall increased away from the downstream reservoir. These results will provide useful information to understand the mechanism of sperm navigation for in vivo fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Hyakutake
- Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5, Hodogaya, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan.
| | - Kenta Sugita
- Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5, Hodogaya, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
| | - Shota Ujifuku
- Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5, Hodogaya, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
| | - Rintaro Sakurai
- Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5, Hodogaya, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
| | - Renta Murakami
- Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5, Hodogaya, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
| | - Yasutaka Hayamizu
- National Institute of Technology, Yonago College, 4448 Hikona-cho, Yonago 683-8502, Japan
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da Fonseca Junior AM, Gaita V, Argumedo DR, de Castro LS, Losano JDDA, Ferreira Leite R, Nichi M, Assumpção MEOD, de Araújo DR, Neves AAR, Milazzotto MP. Changes in fertilization medium viscosity using hyaluronic acid impact bull sperm motility and acrosome status. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 55:974-983. [PMID: 32506705 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The female reproductive tract, in particular the composition of the uterine and oviduct fluids, is responsible, at least in part, for triggering sperm cell modifications, essential for the acquisition of fertilization ability. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan present in these fluids, and its role in the fertilization process and sperm functionality is still barely understood. This work was designed to (a) determine the rheological characteristics of the fertilization medium by the addition of HA and (b) determine the HA influence on sperm motility and functional status. To that end, the in vitro fertilization medium was supplemented with 4 doses of HA (6, 60, 600 and 6,000 µg/ml) and analysed for viscosity and adhesion strength characteristics. Then, thawed semen from 6 bulls were incubated in these media and assessed at 4 different moments for morphological and functional parameters (plasma and acrosomal membrane integrities, mitochondrial membrane potential, capacitation, acrosomal reaction, and motility). The rheological evaluation showed that the addition of HA was able to increase both the viscosity and the adhesion strength of the fertilization medium, especially in the 6,000 µg/ml group in which the effect was more pronounced. No influence of HA could be observed on mitochondrial potential, and acrosomal and plasma membrane integrities. However, HA supplementation, at lower doses, led to an increase in the number of reacted sperm, as well as changes in motility parameters, with increase in the number of motile, rapid and progressive spermatozoa. In conclusion, the addition of HA alters the rheological properties of the fertilization medium and leads to the improvement of the properties related to sperm motility and capacitation, without compromising other functional aspects of the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vincenzo Gaita
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Roberta Ferreira Leite
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcilio Nichi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Striggow F, Medina-Sánchez M, Auernhammer GK, Magdanz V, Friedrich BM, Schmidt OG. Sperm-Driven Micromotors Moving in Oviduct Fluid and Viscoelastic Media. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e2000213. [PMID: 32431083 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202000213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Biohybrid micromotors propelled by motile cells are fascinating entities for autonomous biomedical operations on the microscale. Their operation under physiological conditions, including highly viscous environments, is an essential prerequisite to be translated to in vivo settings. In this work, a sperm-driven microswimmer, referred to as a spermbot, is demonstrated to operate in oviduct fluid in vitro. The viscoelastic properties of bovine oviduct fluid (BOF), one of the fluids that sperm cells encounter on their way to the oocyte, are first characterized using passive microrheology. This allows to design an artificial oviduct fluid to match the rheological properties of oviduct fluid for further experiments. Sperm motion is analyzed and it is confirmed that kinetic parameters match in real and artificial oviduct fluids, respectively. It is demonstrated that sperm cells can efficiently couple to magnetic microtubes and propel them forward in media of different viscosities and in BOF. The flagellar beat pattern of coupled as well as of free sperm cells is investigated, revealing an alteration on the regular flagellar beat, presenting an on-off behavior caused by the additional load of the microtube. Finally, a new microcap design is proposed to improve the overall performance of the spermbot in complex biofluids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friedrich Striggow
- Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz IFW Dresden e.V., Helmholtzstraße 20, Dresden, 01069, Germany
| | - Mariana Medina-Sánchez
- Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz IFW Dresden e.V., Helmholtzstraße 20, Dresden, 01069, Germany
| | - Günter K Auernhammer
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, Dresden, 01069, Germany
| | - Veronika Magdanz
- Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz IFW Dresden e.V., Helmholtzstraße 20, Dresden, 01069, Germany
- Applied Zoology, Faculty of Biology, TU Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20 b, Dresden, 01069, Germany
| | | | - Oliver G Schmidt
- Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz IFW Dresden e.V., Helmholtzstraße 20, Dresden, 01069, Germany
- School of Science, TU Dresden, Dresden, 01062, Germany
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN) Rosenbergstraße 6, TU Chemnitz, Chemnitz, 09126, Germany
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