We had covered the history of traction force microscopy (TFM) earlier:
bsky.app/profile/epim...
But what about applying TFM into more physiologically relevant systems, such as those in 3D?
I am @barrasa-fano.bsky.social and I'll be your guide through this thread on #3DTractionForceMicroscopy.
Yinyin Zhuang, @xyshi.bsky.social et al. introduce land-ExM, a superresolution approach that simultaneously maps protein and #lipid ultrastructure to reveal 3D interactions of #membrane #organelles and condensates. rupress.org/jcb/article/...
#ExM #Microscopy #StructuralBiology
This developing quail embryo looks like it's thinking fiery thoughts for #FluorescenceFriday 🐣🔥🧪. Imaged by the fantastic @vanderspuy.bsky.social
Force coordination distinguishes epithelial and mesenchymal modes of collective #chemotaxis. New study from Jorge Diaz and Roberto Mayor @mayorlab.bsky.social @ucl.ac.uk: rupress.org/jcb/article/...
#Migration #motility #Development
We have two funded postdoctoral positions available. Topics encompass:
-Next gen light-sheet fluorescence microscopy instrumentation
-Structured illumination microscopy and other approaches to extend the resolution limit.
-Nonlinear microscopy combined with adaptive optics / phase conjugation
Cells navigating microscale curved environments stretch their nuclei, triggering the membrane stretch-sensitive cPLA2 pathway, which in turn rewires cell signaling and morphodynamics to propel the cell forward and avoid steric hindrance pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
So excited to share the preprint with the bulk of my PhD work in the Beach @myosincity.bsky.social and Oakes @pwoakes.bsky.social Labs at Loyola University Chicago! We investigate the structure, recruitment, and function of septin networks around the nucleus. A thread:
doi.org/10.64898/202...
How can structures at the vertex of 3 cells have effects at the tissue level?
Join me, @laura-rustarazo.bsky.social, to explore how tricellular junctions (TCJs) act as local tension sensors and regulators of global tissue organization. 🧵⤵️ doi.org/10.1126/scie...
Excited to share our new preprint! and the surprising finding that the second integrin-binding site (IBS2) does not bind integrin.
IBS2 can be better explained as talin-talin interactions mediated via a cryptic talin-binding site in R11.
We also show a new role for vinculin as a mechano-chaperone
New paper out: AFM-tip fluctuations inside the actin cortex reveal that effective temperature can remain unchanged while time-irreversibility/entropy production drop (turnover inhibition). #CellMechanics #ActiveMatter #Nonequilibrium
@poldresden.bsky.social @tudresden.bsky.social
Excited to share Alison's @alisonkickuth.bsky.social paper from the lab out in @nature.com this week! We uncovered how a mechanical ratchet mechanism drives cytokinesis in early #zebrafish embryos. Read more in this thread 🧵 and at www.nature.com/articles/s41... 🤩
@poldresden.bsky.social @mpi-cbg.de
Qian, W., Yamaguchi, N., Lis, P., Cammer, M., & Knaut, H. (2024). Pulses of RhoA signaling stimulate actin polymerization and flow in protrusions to drive collective cell migration. Current Biology, 34(2), 245-259 #EpithelialMechanics doi.org/10.1016/j.cu...
Findings in Science demonstrate that successful mitosis may draw on more mechanisms than commonly assumed.
Learn more in this #SciencePerspective: https://scim.ag/4axnAiA
To all lipid-curious cell biologists: check out this comprehensive overview of lipid-based methods by @gerryhammond.bsky.social and colleagues in @jcb.org — a school of Babel fish for #lipidtime:
rupress.org/jcb/article/...
New discoveries are reshaping how scientists understand the molecular connections between the extracellular matrix and lysosomes—and the resulting implications for research and therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders.
Learn more in this #ScienceSignaling Review: https://scim.ag/3Yi2sFS
Janssen, V., & Huveneers, S. (2024). Cell–cell junctions in focus–imaging junctional architectures and dynamics at high resolution. Journal of Cell Science, #EpithelialMechanicsReview doi.org/10.1242/jcs....
20-plex volumetric super-resolution imaging of cellular ultrastructure. Preprint, led by @seweryn-galecki.bsky.social, dropping soon.
#HappyNewYear !
Let's start 2026 with a @cellcommlab.bsky.social paper
How many branches is OK during #CellMigration?
It depends on the #cell: for ex. immune cells are just fine.
In collab. w. #NirGov @hfspo.bsky.social
Full www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
@focalplane.bsky.social @science.org 🧪🔬
How do migrating cell groups balance force and flexibility?
Our new preprint shows that RhoGAP15B downregulates RhoA–Myosin activity to stabilise protrusions and enable efficient collective migration in vivo.
Happy New Year!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
CRC cells pulling on Collagen I show increased calcium fluctuations, visualized with the calcium reporter K-GECO1
Cell migration is a key cellular process that drives major developmental programs and diseases.
Different assays have been developed, but they are often used interchangeably.
In our new paper, we describe how to select the optimal assay.
More details here: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
James, J., Winn, L. B., Mottram-Epson, P., & Köster, D. (2025). Paths to stability–actin regulation of adherens junction mechanics. Journal of Cell Science, #EpitheilalMechanicsReview doi.org/10.1242/jcs....
Bored over the holidays? Give our new preprint on how #microtubule lattice alteration by taxols can regulate #RhoA #signalling via GEF-H1 a read!
Perhaps a new mechanism of action for taxol #chemotherapeutics during interphase.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Happy holidays ✨🎄
From MBoC... Perihan Nalbant, et al., used optogenetics to boost the Rho activator GEF-H1 in mouse melanoma cells. The result: stronger contraction dynamics, expanding tumor spheroids, and single cells escaping—pointing to a role for Lbc GEFs in driving invasion. www.molbiolcell.org/doi/10.1091/...
Now that you have gathered you raw data from a cell migration assay, how do you analyze that data?
In our review, we describe methods - including AI methods - to track migrating cells and extract as much information as possible.
Read our paper here: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
How does a macrophage decide to eat or simply nibble? Check out our latest paper! You can also read this nice review. Congrats Caitlin for leading this amazing work!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Cells can sense the geometry of their environment, from tiny subcellular features to whole-tissue patterns. How can we engineer environments to systematically probe these responses?
🧵 I'm @lhinderling.bsky.social from @olivierpertz.bsky.social lab, let’s do a short tour on microfabrication!
