H. Wolfenson

Spatiotemporal analysis of F-actin polymerization with micropillar arrays reveals synchronization between adhesion sites

This study uses micropillar arrays to analyze F-actin polymerization dynamics in mouse embryonic fibroblasts, revealing synchronized adhesion site communication through spatiotemporal analysis.

Initiation of fibronectin fibrillogenesis is an enzyme-dependent process

This study identifies fibronectin oxidation by lysyl-oxidase enzymes as a force-independent nucleation step initiating fibrillogenesis, which is critical for cell adhesion and mechanosensing.

Characteristic energy scales of active fluctuations in adherent cells

The paper measures the energy scale of active cellular fluctuations in different biophysical settings and finds it varies among cell types but is consistently larger than thermal energy.

Perturbed actin cap and nuclear morphology in primary fibroblasts of Huntington's disease patients as a new phenotypic marker for personalized drug evaluation

This study identifies a distinctive nuclear morphology and actin cap deficiency in HD fibroblasts, which can be modulated by drugs and used as a phenotypic marker for personalized drug evaluation.

Biomechanical property of limbal niche maintains stemness through YAP

This study shows that biomechanical properties of the limbal niche regulate YAP activity, which is essential for maintaining stemness and regeneration in corneal epithelial stem cells.

α-catenin links integrin adhesions to F-actin to regulate ECM mechanosensing and rigidity-dependence

This study shows α-catenin links integrin adhesions to F-actin, regulating ECM mechanosensing and rigidity dependence through interactions with vinculin and effects on adhesion maturation and force transmission.

Cellular contractile forces are non-mechanosensitive

The paper shows cellular contractile forces are generated by rigidity-independent actomyosin displacements linked to F-actin concentration changes over time.

Tumor suppressor DAPK1 catalyzes adhesion assembly on rigid but anoikis on soft matrices

This study shows DAPK1 promotes adhesion on rigid matrices and triggers anoikis on soft matrices through phosphorylation and interaction with rigidity-sensing modules.