Cellular Mechanics and Interactions

Non-equilibrium remodelling of collagen-IV networks in silico

This study develops coarse-grained models of collagen-IV networks and shows that non-equilibrium remodelling enables dynamic strain response not achievable through equilibrium processes.

Cancer cell deformability impacts the rate of confined migration but not decision making

This study shows that cancer cell deformability affects their ability to squeeze through narrow spaces but not their decision-making at channel junctions.

Direct measurements of active forces and material properties unveil the active mechanics of early embryogenesis

The paper measures active forces and material properties in developing quail embryos, revealing elastic and viscous behavior under active regulation and the role of cell division in tissue fluidization.

Mechanoimmunological Control of Metastatic Site Selection

This study shows how cancer cell stiffness, influenced by environmental rigidity, affects immune response and metastatic site selection in mice and patients.

Mechanism of formin-mediated filament nucleation from profilin-actin

This study investigates how formins nucleate actin filaments by analyzing the role of FH1 and FH2 domains in binding and transferring profilin-actin complexes.

Differential tissue deformability underlies shape divergence of the embryonic brain and spinal cord under fluid pressure

Controlling the morphologies and dynamics in three-dimensional tissues

This paper develops a 3D model to study tissue morphologies and dynamics by varying cell size, elasticity, and self-propulsion, revealing distinct phases and behaviors.

Magnetically controlled tension of cytoskeletal elements with magnetic nanoparticles affects the expression of signaling pathway genes associated with cytoskeletal elements

The paper examines how magnetic-induced cytoskeletal deformation affects gene expression of signaling pathways related to cytoskeletal elements.

Delayed Extracellular Matrix Negative Feedback Contributes to Nascent Adhesion Dynamics: Mathematical Modeling and Analysis

The paper develops a mathematical model to show that delayed ECM feedback limits nascent adhesion growth, matching experimental observations of adhesion dynamics.

Class I myosins direct circumferential F-actin flows to define cell chirality

This study identifies Myo1D and Myo1C as drivers of chiral F-actin flows in Drosophila macrophages, contributing to cell chirality.

Altered Extracellular Matrix Structure and Elevated Stiffness in a Brain Organoid Model for Disease

This study shows that LIS1 mutations in brain organoids lead to increased tissue stiffness and altered ECM structure, with a computational model predicting mechanical changes.

Talin1 adhesions' morphology is largely unaffected by polyacrylamide substrate stiffness

The paper shows that talin1 adhesion morphology remains stable across different ECM stiffnesses, while cell migration behavior changes.

Mechanistic Insights into FNBP4-Mediated Regulation of non-diaphanous Formin FMN1 in Actin Cytoskeleton Dynamics

This study identifies FNBP4 as a regulator of FMN1-mediated actin dynamics, showing it inhibits actin assembly and bundling by interacting with FMN1 domains and localizing to the nucleus.

Viscoelastic Extracellular Matrix Enhances Epigenetic Remodeling and Cellular Plasticity

This study shows viscoelastic substrates enhance epigenetic remodeling and cellular plasticity in fibroblasts, improving reprogramming efficiency into neurons and pluripotent stem cells.

The formin FMNL2 plays a role in the response of melanoma cells to substrate stiffness

This study shows that FMNL2 regulates melanoma cell morphology and motility in response to substrate stiffness, with its depletion enhancing stress fiber alignment and impairing motility on stiff substrates.

Twinfilin is a non-processive depolymerase which synergizes with formin to dramatically accelerate actin filament uncapping by 300-fold

Myo1e/f at the podosome base regulate podosome dynamics and promote macrophage migration

This study identifies Myo1e and Myo1f as regulators of podosome dynamics and macrophage migration by localizing to the podosome base.

Condensation of Sidekick at tricellular junctions organizes mechanical forces for cell-cell adhesion remodeling

Extracellular matrix mechanical cues (dys)regulate metabolic redox homeostasis due to impaired autophagic flux

This study shows that soft extracellular matrix reduces autophagic flux and disrupts redox balance in neuronal cells, mimicking neurodegenerative disease features.

Inter-Spheroid Proximity and Matrix Remodeling Determine CAF-Mediated Cancer Cell Invasion

This study investigates how CAFs drive cancer cell invasion through matrix remodeling and inter-spheroid proximity in a 3D in vitro model of Luminal A breast cancer.

Embryonic Durotaxis: A Mechanical Framework for Understanding Cesarean Scar Pregnancy

This study identifies embryonic durotaxis as a mechanism driving cesarean scar pregnancy, showing that embryos migrate toward stiffer tissues and that inhibiting this migration reduces CSP incidence in mice.

NaBC1 boron transporter enables myoblast response to substrate rigidity via fibronectin-binding integrins

This study shows NaBC1, a boron transporter, enhances myoblast adhesion and tension in response to substrate rigidity via fibronectin-binding integrins.

Dynamic remodeling of mechano-sensing complexes in suspended fibroblast cell-sheets under external mechanical stimulus

The paper examines how fibroblast cell-sheets respond to mechanical stretching by analyzing protein localization changes at cell-cell junctions.

Curvature-dependent morphological reorganization of the endoplasmic reticulum determines the mode of epithelial migration

The paper shows that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) morphology changes with edge curvature in epithelial gaps, supporting different migration modes through focal adhesion orientation.

Interplay of actin nematodynamics and anisotropic tension controls endothelial mechanics

The paper studies how actin dynamics and tension affect endothelial cell mechanics under pressure, showing strain-stiffening and actin-driven reorientation.

Scale-free flocking and giant fluctuations in epithelial active solids

This paper identifies a new mode of large-scale collective motion in epithelial cells, showing they behave as polar elastic solids with scale-free correlations and Goldstone modes, distinct from fluid-like dynamics.

Apical constriction requires patterned apical surface remodeling to synchronize cellular deformation

This study uses a cellular Potts model to show that apical constriction requires patterned apical surface remodeling to synchronize cellular deformation and prevent tissue invagination.

Rigidity transitions in a 3D active foam model of cell monolayers with frictional contact interactions

This study uses a 3D active foam model to show how cell-cell adhesion and friction influence rigidity transitions in cell monolayers, with implications for tissue mechanics and cancer metastasis.

Filamented Light (FLight) Biofabrication of Mini-Tendon Models Show Tunable Matrix Confinement and Nuclear Morphology

This paper develops a biofabrication method to create mini-tendons with tunable matrix stiffness and microchannel dimensions, showing that mechanical confinement influences nuclear morphology and cell alignment.

Mechanics regulate the postembryonic developmental maturation and function of sensory neurons in a pre-vertebrate chordate.

This study shows that mechanical forces influence the maturation and function of sensory neurons in the pre-vertebrate chordate Ciona intestinalis during post-embryonic development.