Cellular Mechanics and Interactions

Septins buffer actomyosin forces to protect the nucleus from genotoxic mechanical stress

This study shows septins buffer actomyosin forces to protect the nucleus from mechanical stress during migration and in non-migrating cells, with SEPT9 amplification linked to reduced genomic damage and higher mortality in breast cancer.

Extrinsic MMPs drive epithelial shape change via basal ECM disassembly in the Drosophila wing disc

The paper shows that extrinsic MMPs drive epithelial shape change via basal ECM disassembly in Drosophila wing discs during pupal development.

TiFM2.0 - Versatile mechanical measurement and actuation in live embryos

TiFM2.0 improves mechanical measurement and actuation in live embryos with a double-probe system, demonstrating applications in chicken and zebrafish embryos.

Cell viscosity influences hematogenous dissemination and metastatic extravasation of tumor cells

This study shows that tumor cell viscosity affects their ability to circulate and extravasate, influencing metastasis.

Long-range chemical signalling in vivo is regulated by mechanical signals

The paper shows that mechanical signals regulate long-range chemical signaling in the developing Xenopus brain by modulating tissue stiffness and expression of guidance cues.

Spef1 is a microvillar component that limits apical actomyosin contractility and preserves intestinal barrier function

This study identifies Spef1 as a microvillar component that regulates apical actomyosin contractility to maintain intestinal barrier function.

An active matter model captures the spatial dynamics of actomyosin oscillations during morphogenesis

The paper uses an active matter model to simulate and reproduce actomyosin oscillations in Drosophila cells during morphogenesis, showing that cell geometry and polarity drive these dynamics.

Girdin controls the pace of 3D tracheal cell intercalation by coupling adherens junctions to the actin cytoskeleton in Drosophila

The paper shows that Girdin links adherens junctions to actin in Drosophila tracheal cells, controlling intercalation pace and developing a genetic tool for actin depolymerisation.

Liquid Crystal-like Self-Organization of Glioblastoma Prevents Cell Density Induced Migratory Arrest

This study shows that glioblastoma cells form liquid crystal-like structures to avoid migratory arrest at high cell densities, enabling efficient movement in confined spaces.

Expression of vimentin intermediate filaments in epithelial cells promotes cell migration and cell matrix interaction in 3D

This study shows that vimentin expression in breast cancer cells changes 3D cluster morphology, enhances migration, and increases cell-matrix interactions.

Analysis of 3D epithelial tissue packing reveals correlated patterns of cell height and skewing

This study analyzes 3D epithelial tissue packing in MDCK cells, revealing correlations between cell height, skewing, and substrate properties during proliferation.

A Morphodynamic Network Model to Describe Cell Organization and Nematic Ordering in Monolayers

This paper introduces a new computational model to simulate cell monolayers and study nematic ordering and morphodynamic behaviors.

Cortical Tension Links Curvature to Tissue Growth in the Cellular Potts Model

The paper uses the Cellular Potts Model to show that tension-dependent local proliferation drives curvature-driven tissue growth via surface tension, without soluble growth factors.

Single-cell chiral symmetry breaking under confinement

This study develops a cellular phase field model to explain single-cell chiral symmetry breaking under confinement, identifying confinement strength as a key parameter determining rotational behavior.

Acute priming using elevated fluid viscosity recovers young-like single-cellsurveillance behaviors in aged human T cells

This study shows that increasing fluid viscosity can temporarily restore young-like surveillance behaviors in aged human T cells by improving deformability and sensing.

Linking Molecular Tension and Cellular Tractions: A Multiscale Approach to Focal Adhesion Mechanics

This study combines Traction Force Microscopy and Vinculin Tension Sensors to analyze how molecular tension and cellular tractions interact across different scales in focal adhesions.

Multiscale curvature modulates epithelial architecture and nuclear organization.

This study shows that multiscale curvature influences epithelial cell shape, nuclear organization, and tissue thickness, while maintaining nuclear geometry.

Substrate stiffness and cellular microenvironment regulate cell and junction mechanics in iPSC-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells

This study shows that substrate stiffness and cellular context influence mechanical properties and junction organization in iPSC-derived brain endothelial cells.

Microtubule detyrosination enhances matrix remodeling and force transmission during endothelial sprouting

This study shows that microtubule detyrosination promotes directional migration and matrix remodeling during endothelial sprouting by enhancing ECM degradation and force transmission.

Dual Regulatory Role of Nuclear FNBP4 in Actin Binding and Formin FMN1 Inhibition

This study identifies FNBP4 as a nuclear actin-binding protein that inhibits formin FMN1, revealing its dual role in regulating nuclear actin dynamics.

The Baraitser-Winter Cerebrofrontofacial Syndrome recurrent R196H variant in cytoplasmic β-actin impairs its cellular polymerization and stability

This study investigates the R196H mutation in β-actin, showing it reduces F-actin content and cell stiffness, weakens actin-membrane attachment, and impairs cofilin interaction.

In vivo evidence for bleb-induced survival signaling in metastatic melanoma

This paper shows that bleb-induced septin signaling supports survival of metastatic melanoma cells in vivo, and disrupting this pathway reduces metastasis.

Human progenitor T-cell differentiation regulated by the mechanical resistance of thymus-mimetic extracellular matrices

This study shows that mechanical properties of thymus-mimetic matrices regulate human T-cell differentiation by modulating Notch1 and integrin signaling pathways.

Osteoarthritic chondrocytes exert higher contractile forces and exhibit enhanced protrusive activity when cultured in 3D degradable hydrogels

This study shows OA chondrocytes generate higher contractile forces in 3D degradable hydrogels compared to 2D, linked to increased protrusive activity and actomyosin engagement.

Geometry of disordered porous environments regulates cell migration

This study shows how the porous structure of the extracellular matrix influences cell migration through geometric effects, introducing the concept of porotaxis.

Mechanical compression induces neuronal apoptosis, reduces synaptic activity, and promotes glial neuroinflammation in mice and humans

The paper shows mechanical compression causes neuronal apoptosis, synaptic loss, and glial inflammation in GBM models, revealing pathways for neuroprotection.

Trade-off between branching and polarity controls decision-making during cell migration

The paper develops a theoretical model and experimental analysis to study how branched cells balance shape dynamics for directional decision-making during migration.

Geometric characteristics of cubically symmetric and triply periodic scaffolds for optimal cell migration

The paper identifies optimal geometric characteristics for cubically symmetric and triply periodic scaffolds to enhance cell migration by avoiding nucleus deformation and ensuring pore accessibility.

Generation and maintenance of apical rib-like actin fibers in epithelial support cells of the Drosophila eye

The paper identifies a novel F-actin network in Drosophila eye cells and shows its role in shaping the apical membrane through conserved actin regulatory proteins.

Modeling tumor transport and growth with poroelastic biopolymer networks

This study models how poroelastic properties of the extracellular matrix affect tumor growth and transport through hydrogel experiments and computational simulations.