Cellular Mechanics and Interactions

Coupling Step-Wise Motility and Traction Force Patterns in chemotaxing cells

This study models chemotaxis in Dictyostelium cells by coupling myosin dynamics with traction forces, showing that a central myosin patch generates step-wise migration and convergent traction patterns.

Tissue surface mechanics constrains proliferation-driven forces to guide mammalian body axis elongation

This study shows that mammalian body axis elongation is driven by a posterior actin cap that constrains cell proliferation forces, differing from other vertebrates.

A Design-of-Experiments Strategy for Engineering 3D Topographical Features in Osteosarcoma Modelling

This study uses a Design-of-Experiments approach to engineer 3D topographical features in osteosarcoma models, showing that 3D culture context significantly affects cell behavior and drug response.

Monitoring the poroelastic response of collagen gels with embedded senescent fibroblasts reveals tissue softening associated with collagen network reorganization

This study uses a microfluidic model to show that senescent fibroblasts cause ECM softening through collagen network reorganization without changing permeability.

A steady state pool of calcium-dependent actin is maintained by Homer and controls epithelial mechanosensation

This paper identifies Homer and MUPP1/PatJ as regulators of calcium-dependent actin dynamics at the apical junctional complex, essential for epithelial mechanosensation and wound healing.

Focused acoustic-radiation-force microscopy for live-cell selective nucleus deformation and nucleus viscoelasticity measurement

The paper develops acoustic-radiation-force microscopy to measure nucleus viscoelasticity in live cells, showing high mechanical homeostasis in human mesenchymal stem cells.

The tumor suppressor p53 mutational status controls epithelial 3D cell growth under mechanical compression

This study shows that p53 mutations enhance cancer cell survival and growth under mechanical compression, suggesting p53 status as a biomarker for tumor adaptation to stress.

Nuclei sense complex tissue shape and direct intestinal stem cell fate

This study shows that nuclear mechanics influence intestinal stem cell differentiation by sensing tissue shape and modulating lamin-A levels.

Mechanical polarity links adhesion-tuned protrusions to directional stability in glioblastoma cell migration

The paper establishes mechanical polarity as a physical principle linking adhesion dynamics to directional stability in glioblastoma cell migration.

Proliferation symmetry breaking in growing tissues

This paper proposes a model where anisotropic tissue growth arises from feedback between cell polarity, mechanical pressure, and division rates, showing how proliferation symmetry breaking is controlled by cellular properties.

αTAT1 defines a microtubule mechanosensing axis that drives fibroblast durotaxis and fibrosis across organs

This study identifies TAT1-mediated microtubule acetylation as a key regulator of fibroblast durotaxis and fibrosis across multiple organs.

Matrix Stiffness Governs Fibroblast-Driven Immune Homeostasis in Gingival Tissues

This study shows that matrix stiffness influences fibroblast-driven immune responses in gingival tissues, with stiff matrices reducing inflammation through non-canonical NFκB and epigenetic pathways.

A quantum compatible classical continuum model explains mechanical responses of cell membranes and membrane crosslinkers

The paper introduces a classical continuum model compatible with quantum mechanics to simulate mechanical responses of cell membranes and crosslinkers, reproducing experimental data on adhesion and membrane dynamics.

Modeling collective cell migration in a heterogeneous environment: Drosophila border cell migration as a model paradigm

The paper develops a computational model of Drosophila border cell migration that integrates intercellular forces and shape changes, validated with live imaging data, revealing new insights into migration dynamics in heterogeneous environments.

Piezo1 is a mechanosensor of soft matrix viscoelasticity

The paper shows Piezo1 senses viscoelasticity in soft ECMs and identifies transcriptomic changes in MSCs in response to matrix properties and Piezo1 activity.

Reducing Glioblastoma Cell Aggressiveness via Static and Dynamic Magneto-Mechanical Stimulation with Vortex Microdiscs on Substrates of Physiological Stiffness

This study shows that mechanical compression and vibration from magnetic microdiscs reduce glioblastoma cell aggressiveness on soft substrates by impairing proliferation, motility, and acto-myosin function.

Cyclase associated actin cytoskeleton regulatory protein 2 (CAP2) organizes the actin cytoskeleton to influence the biomechanical properties of the ocular lens

This study shows CAP2 loss increases F-actin stabilization and bundling in the lens, leading to stiffer biomechanical properties.

Mechanical Cues Regulate Estrogen and Progesterone-Induced Nascent ECM Deposition by Human Endometrial Stromal Cells

This study shows that mechanical and hormonal cues regulate ECM deposition by endometrial stromal cells during decidualization.

Ordering from the edge: Chiral multicellular pattern formation directed by actin self-organisation in cells

The paper shows how chiral multicellular patterns arise from actin self-organisation in cells, with chiral order starting at tissue boundaries and propagating inward.

napariTFM: An Open-Source Tool for Traction ForceMicroscopy and Monolayer Stress Microscopy

The paper introduces napariTFM, an open-source tool for TFM and MSM analysis, demonstrating high accuracy and usability for quantifying cellular forces.

Quantifying Cell Traction Forces at the Individual Fiber Scale in 3D: A Novel Approach Based on Deformable Photopolymerized Fiber Arrays

This paper introduces a method to measure cell traction forces at the individual fiber scale in 3D using deformable fiber arrays and finite element modeling, revealing how fiber properties influence cellular forces.

Intracellular pH dynamics respond to extracellular matrix stiffening and mediate vasculogenic mimicry through β-catenin

This study shows that ECM stiffness affects intracellular pH, which mediates vasculogenic mimicry through β-catenin in cancer cells.

High-Throughput Mechanomic Screening Reveals Novel Regulators of Single-Cell Mechanics

This study uses high-throughput mechanomic screening to identify 80 genes regulating single-cell mechanics, including novel regulators, using RT-FDC technology.

Interfacial tension and growth both contribute to mechanical cell competition

This study identifies two modes of cell compaction during mechanical cell competition: growth-driven and interfacial tension-driven, using Drosophila pupal notum.

Heterogeneity in environmental stiffness alone can guide cells and shape tissues

This study shows that cells can be guided and tissues shaped by environmental stiffness heterogeneity alone, without topographical or chemical cues.

Membrane protein condensates polymerize actin and form filopodia

This study identifies PLPPR3 condensates as actin sinks that locally boost monomer concentrations, promoting actin polymerization and filopodia formation in neurons.

Modelling mechanochemical coupling in optogenetically activated cell layers

The paper models mechanochemical coupling in optogenetically activated cell layers using a finite element framework to understand signal propagation and cell responses.

Matrix stress-relaxation and stiffness modulate oligodendrocyte differentiation

This study shows that viscoelastic properties of 3D hydrogels impact oligodendrocyte differentiation and function, suggesting mechanotransduction as a target for remyelination therapies.

Myocardial disarray drives metabolic inefficiency in human cardiomyocytes

This study shows that structured alignment of cardiomyocytes improves mitochondrial function and bioenergetic efficiency, highlighting the role of cellular organization in heart health.

Rapid Restoration of Cell Phenotype and Matrix Forming Capacity Following Transient Nuclear Softening

This study shows that transient nuclear softening with TSA treatment enhances cell migration and matrix formation in porcine meniscal cells, with full restoration of transcriptional phenotype and function within 7 days.