M. L. Gardel

Cracked actin filaments as mechanosensitive receptors

This paper uses molecular dynamics simulations to show that mechanical strain on actin filaments creates a metastable cracked conformation, which serves as a binding site for LIM domain proteins.

Direct detection of deformation modes on varying length scales in active biopolymer networks

The paper studies deformation modes in actin networks driven by myosin II using fluorescence microscopy, finding myosin-dependent biaxial buckling and uniaxial contraction at different length scales.

Confluence and tight junction dependence of volume regulation in epithelial tissue

The paper shows that mature epithelial tissue, unlike single cells, does not maintain volume homeostasis under hyperosmotic stress and identifies tight junctions as key regulators.

Actin bundle architecture and mechanics regulate myosin II force generation

This study investigates how actin bundle architecture and mechanics influence myosin II force generation through microscopy and simulations.

Actin filament alignment causes mechanical hysteresis in cross-linked networks

The paper investigates how actin filament alignment affects mechanical hysteresis in cross-linked networks by varying cross-linker concentration and properties.

Cell cycle-dependent active stress drives epithelia remodeling

This study investigates how cell cycle-dependent active stress influences epithelial remodeling by analyzing cell shape and dynamics in model monolayers.

Evolutionarily diverse LIM domain-containing proteins bind stressed actin filaments through a conserved mechanism

This study identifies a conserved mechanism by which LIM domains bind stressed actin filaments across species, revealing their role in sensing mechanical strain.

Tuning shape and internal structure of protein droplets via biopolymer filaments

This study shows how biopolymer filaments alter the shape and structure of protein droplets by affecting surface tension and viscosity.

Mechanosensitive junction remodelling promotes robust epithelial morphogenesis

This study shows that mechanosensitive tension remodelling of epithelial junctions enables robust shape changes through a ratcheting mechanism, using optogenetic control and a modified vertex model.

RhoA mediates epithelial cell shape changes via mechanosensitive endocytosis

This study shows RhoA controls epithelial cell shape through mechanosensitive endocytosis, requiring formin and dynamin, and develops a vertex model to explain junction remodeling.

Self-organizing motors divide active liquid droplets

This study creates composite assemblies of cross-linked biopolymer filaments and motor proteins to explore self-organization mechanisms in biological systems.

Force localization modes in dynamic epithelial colonies

The paper introduces an Active Adherent Vertex Model to study how cell-scale dynamics influence traction stress distribution in epithelial colonies.

Tuning molecular motor transport through cytoskeletal filament network organization

This study examines how the organization of cytoskeletal filament networks affects myosin II motor transport dynamics, showing predictable changes based on network microstructure.

The lamellipodium is a myosin independent mechanosensor

This paper shows that cell spreading on soft substrates is inhibited by reduced adhesion formation in the lamellipodium, independent of myosin II activity.

Cofilin Drives Rapid Turnover and Fluidization of Entangled F-actin

This paper shows cofilin-mediated severing of F-actin accelerates turnover and stress relaxation in entangled solutions, tuning viscosity over two orders of magnitude.

Partitioning and Enhanced Self-Assembly of Actin in Polypeptide Coacervates

This study shows actin partitions into and polymerizes faster in polypeptide coacervates, suggesting coacervates can act as bioreactors for studying biomolecular reactions.

Filament Rigidity And Connectivity Tune The Deformation Modes Of Active Biopolymer Networks

The paper shows how filament rigidity and connectivity in active biopolymer networks affect deformation modes, contractility, and anisotropy through experiments and simulations.

Optogenetic Control of RhoA Reveals Zyxin-mediated Elasticity of Stress Fibers

This study uses optogenetic RhoA control to show that zyxin regulates stress fiber elasticity, revealing how localized RhoA activation drives actin flow and traction forces in fibroblasts.

Formin-Dependent Adhesions Are Required For Invasion By Epithelial Tissues

This study shows that formin-dependent adhesions are essential for epithelial tissue invasion, as they enable collagen deformation and stable adhesion formation during collective motility.