A. Mogilner

Helical motors and formins synergize to compact chiral filopodial bundles: a theoretical perspective.

The paper simulates chiral actin bundle formation using helical motors and formins, finding that myosin braiding and formin synergy enhance compaction and coiling.

Focal adhesions are controlled by microtubules through local contractility regulation

This study shows microtubules control focal adhesion disassembly via KANK1-mediated local contractility regulation involving RhoA/ROCK and other proteins.

Friction patterns guide actin network contraction

This study shows that friction forces between actin networks and their substrate guide contraction direction and speed, demonstrating the importance of resistive forces in cell shape control.

Recycling limits the lifetime of actin turnover

This study investigates how actin turnover is sustained with a limited monomer pool by analyzing bead motility and identifying recycling as a key factor.

Size-dependent transition from steady contraction to waves in actomyosin networks with turnover

The paper studies size-dependent contraction patterns in actomyosin networks with turnover, finding that smaller systems exhibit steady contraction while larger ones show periodic wave-like contractions.

Mechanical torque promotes bipolarity of the mitotic spindle through multi-centrosomal clustering

The paper investigates how mechanical torque influences mitotic spindle bipolarity by modeling centrosome interactions and showing torque promotes stable bipolar configurations.

F-actin bending facilitates net actomyosin contraction by inhibiting expansion with plus-end-located myosin motors

The paper models actomyosin contraction at the filament scale, showing that F-actin bending reduces expansive stress and enables net contraction through geometric asymmetry.

Interplay between Brownian motion and cross-linking kinetics controls bundling dynamics in actin networks

This study shows how Brownian motion and cross-linking kinetics influence the bundling dynamics of actin networks through two distinct stages.

Simulations of dynamically cross-linked actin networks: morphology, rheology, and hydrodynamic interactions

This paper simulates dynamically cross-linked actin networks to study their viscoelastic behavior, identifying three timescales and the role of hydrodynamic interactions in different network morphologies.

Protein Friction and Filament Bending Facilitate Contraction of Disordered Actomyosin Networks

This study uses mathematical modeling to show that protein friction and actin filament bending are necessary for contraction of disordered actomyosin networks, with filament turnover required to sustain contraction.

Computational estimates of mechanical constraints on cell migration through the extracellular matrix

This paper uses computational simulations to compare two 3D cell migration mechanisms through the extracellular matrix, finding that amoeboid migration is more robust and efficient under varying mechanical conditions.

PI3K inhibition reverses migratory direction of single cells but not cell groups in electric field

The paper shows that PI3K inhibition reverses single cell migration direction in electric fields but not in large cell groups, with different behavior observed in group interiors and edges.

Modeling cell turning by mechanics at the cell rear

The paper models cell turning by incorporating mechanosensitive adhesions into a mechanical model of keratocyte motility, showing how this affects cell behavior compared to uniform adhesion.

Stress fibers are embedded in a contractile cortical network.

This study investigates how actin bundles are embedded in a contractile cortical network and how this affects traction force distribution in cells.

Mechanics of multi-centrosomal clustering in bipolar mitotic spindles

This study computationally screens mechanical forces in multi-centrosomal cells to determine conditions for bipolar spindle assembly and identifies configurations for abnormal spindles.

kSHREC ‘Delta’ reflects the shape of kinetochore rather than intrakinetochore tension

The paper investigates whether Delta reflects intrakinetochore tension or kinetochore shape by comparing Delta values in Indian muntjac and human cells under different conditions.

A hybrid stochastic-deterministic mechanochemical model of cell polarization

The paper develops a hybrid model combining stochastic signaling and mechanical actin dynamics to explain cell polarization, showing that coupling these systems leads to stable polarization.

A unified role for membrane-cortex detachment during cell protrusion initiation

The paper shows that membrane-cortex detachment is essential for initiating both pressure-based and actin-based protrusions, challenging the Brownian ratchet model and unifying protrusion regulation.

Cell Mechanics at the Rear Act To Steer the Direction of Cell Migration

The paper investigates how mechanical asymmetries at the rear of fish keratocytes drive cell turning, showing that actin flow and myosin II contractility, rather than leading edge protrusion, are key to steering migration.

Reconstitution of the equilibrium state of dynamic actin networks

This study investigates how actin network length is regulated by actin density, ADF/Cofilin concentration, and network width, revealing principles of dynamic equilibrium in actin networks.

Infection-generated electric field in gut epithelium drives bidirectional migration of macrophages

This paper shows that Salmonella infection creates electric fields in gut epithelium that guide macrophage migration, with directionality switching after phagocytosis.