Zachary Gao Sun

ORCID: 0000-0003-3658-109X
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About
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Research Areas
  • Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
  • Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications
  • Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
  • Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
  • Cardiomyopathy and Myosin Studies
  • Advanced Polymer Synthesis and Characterization
  • Adhesion, Friction, and Surface Interactions
  • 3D Printing in Biomedical Research

Yale University
2022-2024

Systems Biology Institute
2022

Abstract Active stresses are generated and transmitted throughout diverse F-actin architectures within the cell cytoskeleton, drive essential behaviors of cell, from division to migration. However, while impact architecture on transmission stress is well studied, role ab initio generation remains less understood. Here, we assemble networks in vitro, whose varied branched bundled through nucleation via Arp2/3 formin mDia1. Within these architectures, track motions embedded myosin thick...

10.1038/s41467-022-34715-6 article EN cc-by Nature Communications 2022-11-16

The organization of actin filaments (F-actin) into crosslinked networks determines the transmission mechanical stresses within cytoskeleton and subsequent changes in cell tissue shape. Principally mediated by proteins such as α-actinin, F-actin crosslinking increases both network connectivity rigidity, thereby facilitating stress at low yet attenuating high crosslinker concentration. Here, we engineer a two-dimensional model actomyosin cytoskeleton, which myosin-induced are controlled light....

10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151379 article EN cc-by-nc-nd European Journal of Cell Biology 2023-12-26

The actin cytoskeleton, the principal mechanical machinery in cell, mediates numerous essential physical cellular activities, including cell deformation, division, migration, and adhesion. However, studying dynamics structure of network vivo is complicated by biochemical genetic regulation within live cells. To build a minimal model devoid intracellular regulation, encapsulated inside giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs, also called liposomes). biomimetic liposomes are cell-sized facilitate...

10.3791/64026 article EN Journal of Visualized Experiments 2022-08-25

SUMMARY To migrate, divide, and change shape, cells must regulate the mechanics of their periphery. The cell surface is a complex structure that consists thin, contractile cortical actin network tethered to plasma membrane by specialized membrane-to-cortex attachment (MCA) proteins. This active constantly fluctuating system maintains delicate mechanochemical state which permits spontaneous polarization shape when needed. Combining in silico , vitro vivo experiments we show how viscosity MCA...

10.1101/2024.10.14.618153 preprint EN cc-by bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) 2024-10-14

Filamentous-actin ($F$-actin) crosslinking within the cell cytoskeleton mediates transmission of mechanical forces, enabling changes in shape, as occurs during division and migration. Crosslinking by actin binding proteins (ABPs) generally increases connectivity $F$-actin network, but also network rigidity. As a result, there is narrow range concentration crosslinker protein at which networks are both connected labile. Another ABP, cofilin, severs filaments high $p\mathrm{H}$ through...

10.1103/physrevlett.133.218402 article EN Physical Review Letters 2024-11-22

The actin cytoskeleton, the principal mechanical machinery in cell, mediates numerous essential physical cellular activities, including cell deformation, division, migration, and adhesion. However, studying dynamics structure of network vivo is complicated by biochemical genetic regulation within live cells. To build a minimal model devoid intracellular regulation, encapsulated inside giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs, also called liposomes). biomimetic liposomes are cell-sized facilitate...

10.3791/64026-v article EN Journal of Visualized Experiments 2022-08-25
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