Soft connective tissues at steady state are dynamic; resident cells continually read
environmental cues and respond to them to promote homeostasis, including maintenance of …

Non-muscle myosin II (NM II) is an actin-binding protein that has actin cross-linking and
contractile properties and is regulated by the phosphorylation of its light and heavy chains …

Tissue fibrosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening promote tumour progression. The
mechanisms by which ECM regulates its contacting cells have been extensively studied …

A central question in cell biology is how membrane-spanning receptors transmit
extracellular signals inside cells to modulate cell adhesion and motility. Focal adhesion …

The shapes of eukaryotic cells and ultimately the organisms that they form are defined by
cycles of mechanosensing, mechanotransduction and mechanoresponse. Local sensing of …

Cells within tissues are continuously exposed to physical forces including hydrostatic
pressure, shear stress, and compression and tension forces. Cells dynamically adapt to …

Cell migration toward areas of higher extracellular matrix (ECM) rigidity via a process called"
durotaxis" is thought to contribute to development, immune response, and cancer …

Orthodontic tooth movement relies on coordinated tissue resorption and formation in the
surrounding bone and periodontal ligament. Tooth loading causes local hypoxia and fluid …

The protein tyrosine kinase focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays a prominent role in integrin
signaling. FAK activation, demonstrated by an increase in phosphorylation of Tyr397 as well …

Tissue development is orchestrated by the coordinated activities of both chemical and
physical regulators. While much attention has been given to the role that chemical regulators …