A5020755611- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
- 3D Printing in Biomedical Research
- Cell Image Analysis Techniques
- Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications
- Hippo pathway signaling and YAP/TAZ
- Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques
- Pluripotent Stem Cells Research
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques and Applications
- Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
- Cardiomyopathy and Myosin Studies
- Erythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology
- Cancer Cells and Metastasis
- Caveolin-1 and cellular processes
- Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies
- Lymphatic System and Diseases
- Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Biomedical Research
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Nuclear Structure and Function
- Micro and Nano Robotics
- Silk-based biomaterials and applications
- Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
University of Cambridge
2018-2024
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
2006-2024
International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
2006-2024
Novo Nordisk Foundation
2024
University of Copenhagen
2024
University of Wrocław
2024
University College London
2014-2023
MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology
2014-2023
Wellcome/MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute
2019-2021
Medical Research Council
2014-2016
Embryonic Cell Sorting and Movement Differential cell adhesion has long been thought to drive sorting. Maître et al. (p. 253 , published online 23 August) show that sorting in zebrafish gastrulation is triggered by differences the ability of cells modulate cortex tension at cell-cell contacts, thereby controlling contact expansion. functions this process mechanically coupling cortices adhering their allowing control In epiboly enveloping layer (EVL)—a surface epithelium formed animal pole...
Blebs are spherical membrane protrusions often observed during cell migration, spreading, cytokinesis, and apoptosis, both in cultured cells vivo. Bleb expansion is thought to be driven by the contractile actomyosin cortex, which generates hydrostatic pressure cytoplasm can thus drive herniations of plasma membrane. However, role cortical tension bleb formation has not been directly tested, despite importance blebbing, little known about mechanisms growth. In order explore link between...
Protrusion formation is an essential step during cell migration. Cells migrating in three-dimensional environments and vivo can form a wide variety of protrusion types, including actin polymerization-driven lamellipodia, contractility-driven blebs. The ability to switch between different protrusions has been proposed facilitate motility complex promote cancer dissemination. However, plasticity so far mostly investigated the context transitions amoeboid mesenchymal migration modes, which...
Cell shape and motility are primarily controlled by cellular mechanics. The attachment of the plasma membrane to underlying actomyosin cortex has been proposed be important for processes involving deformation. However, little is known about actual function membrane-to-cortex (MCA) in cell protrusion formation migration, particular context developing embryo. Here, we use a multidisciplinary approach study MCA zebrafish mesoderm endoderm (mesendoderm) germ layer progenitor cells, which migrate...
The contractile actin cortex is a thin layer of actin, myosin, and actin-binding proteins that subtends the membrane animal cells. main determinant cell shape plays fundamental role in division [1Stewart M.P. Helenius J. Toyoda Y. Ramanathan S.P. Muller D.J. Hyman A.A. Hydrostatic pressure actomyosin drive mitotic rounding.Nature. 2011; 469: 226-230Crossref PubMed Scopus (446) Google Scholar, 2Kunda P. Pelling A.E. Liu T. Baum B. Moesin controls cortical rigidity, rounding, spindle...
Animal cell shape is controlled primarily by the actomyosin cortex, a thin cytoskeletal network that lies directly beneath plasma membrane. The cortex regulates morphology controlling cellular mechanical properties, which are determined structure and geometry. In particular, thickness expected to influence mechanics. However, near resolution limit of light microscope, making studies relating challenging. To overcome this, we developed an assay measure in live cells, combining confocal...
Mechanotransduction - how cells sense physical forces and translate them into biochemical biological responses is a vibrant rapidly-progressing field, important for broad range of phenomena. This forum explores the role mechanotransduction in variety cellular activities highlights intriguing questions that deserve further attention.
Cell fate transitions are frequently accompanied by changes in cell shape and mechanics. However, how cellular mechanics affects the instructive signaling pathways controlling is poorly understood. To probe interplay between shape, mechanics, fate, we use mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), which change as they undergo early differentiation. We find that regulated a β-catenin-mediated decrease RhoA activity subsequent plasma membrane tension. Strikingly, preventing tension results...
In development, lineage segregation is coordinated in time and space. An important example the mammalian inner cell mass, which primitive endoderm (PrE, founder of yolk sac) physically segregates from epiblast (EPI, fetus). While molecular requirements have been well studied, physical mechanisms determining spatial between EPI PrE remain elusive. Here, we investigate mechanical basis sorting. We find that rather than differences static surface parameters as classical sorting models, it...
Highlights•Fast-moving cells in 3D matrix establish low membrane tension at the rear•Caveolae form response to and recruit GEF Ect2•Ect2 activates RhoA promote F-actin organization rear retraction•Positive feedback between contractility reinforces retractionSummaryIn development, wound healing, cancer metastasis, vertebrate move through interstitial matrix, responding chemical physical guidance cues. Protrusion cell front has been extensively studied, but retraction phase of migration cycle...