J. D'Alessandro

Deposited footprints let cells switch between confined, oscillatory, and exploratory migration

The paper models how cell footprints influence migration patterns, showing cells can switch between confined, oscillatory, and exploratory motion based on footprint deposition and response.

Microphase separation of living cells

This study shows that microphase separation, typically observed in non-living materials, occurs in living cells under specific conditions, driven by oxygen regulation and cell interactions.

Disentangling cadherin-mediated cell-cell interactions in collective cancer cell migration

This study investigates how cadherin-mediated cell-cell interactions influence collective cancer cell migration by combining theoretical modeling and in vitro experiments.

Cell motility driven by long-lived spatial memory

This study shows cells retain memory of their path through physicochemical footprints, leading to self-interacting random walks and altered space exploration.

Endosomal spatio-temporal modulation of the cortical RhoA zone conditions epithelial cell organization

This study shows EpCAM regulates RhoA trafficking via endosomes to control actomyosin dynamics, cell shape, and polarity in epithelial cells.

Emergence of single cell mechanical behavior and polarity within epithelial monolayers drives collective cell migration

This study shows that collective cell migration in epithelial monolayers arises from single-cell polarity signals rather than cell-cell junctions.

Myosin II isoforms play distinct roles in adherens junction biogenesis

This study identifies distinct roles of myosin II isoforms in adherens junction biogenesis, showing NMIIA provides mechanical force for junction maintenance while NMIIB facilitates E-cadherin clustering and anisotropic stress.

Sustained oscillations of epithelial cell sheets

This study identifies a novel mode of collective oscillations in epithelial cell sheets under confinement, showing that oscillatory motion drives cellular movements and is regulated by confinement dimensions and force transmission.