mechanobiology institute
Not A Muscle But Still On The Move
Even non-muscle cells require motor proteins to pull against their surroundings and fight their way through often sticky environments, researchers say.
How Dying Cells Learn To Let Go
Live imaging of fly pupae has given us a peek into how dying cells are safely detached from the tissue they are embedded in.
This ‘Shock Absorber’ Protein Protects Our Cells From External Forces
In cells, the protein talin is a highly effective force buffer which functions like the suspension of a car, researchers have found.
Shaping Epithelial Tubes By Sheer Force
Scientists have discovered how the formation of arteries, intestines and other epithelial tubes is guided by mechanical forces.
Culturing Cancer Cells For Personalized Treatments
Researchers have boosted the success rate of culturing circulating tumor cells from blood samples to 60 percent, paving the way for personalized treatments.
Coordinating Traffic Down The Neuronal Highway
Scientists have established a zebrafish model of the rare motor neuron disease Cayman ataxia, paving the way for research on diseases caused by acetylcholine dysregulation.
How Shape Influences Wound Healing
Cells measure the shape of gaps in the epithelium to determine how they should move to close wounds, scientists say.
Membrane Remodeling Without Energy
Cell membranes instantly and spontaneously form reservoirs to accommodate sudden changes in membrane area.
Substrate Stiffness Increases Cytoskeletal Organization
Cells adapt to stiff substrates by modifying their cytoskeleton, organizing actin filaments into a single direction.
Samlonella Self-Acidifies To Survive Macrophages’ Acid Attack
The acidic environment of the macrophage vacuole not only fails to kill Salmonella but actually switches on bacterial survival genes.
