The brain harbors a unique ability to, figuratively speaking, shift its gears. During
wakefulness, the brain is geared fully toward processing information and behaving, while …

Dystrophin is the central protein of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) in skeletal
and heart muscle cells. Dystrophin connects the actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix …

One of the most unique physical features of cell adhesion to external surfaces is the active
generation of mechanical force at the cell-material interface. This includes pulling forces …

Integrins are cell surface transmembrane receptors that recognize and bind to extracellular
matrix proteins and counter receptors. Binding of activated integrins to their ligands induces …

Dynamic regulation of the filamentous actin (F-actin) cytoskeleton is critical to numerous
physical cellular processes, including cell adhesion, migration and division. Each of these …

Cells generate mechanical stresses via the action of myosin motors on the actin
cytoskeleton. Although the molecular origin of force generation is well understood, we …

The shape and differentiated state of many cell types are highly sensitive to the rigidity of the
microenvironment. The physical mechanisms involved, however, are unknown. Here, we …

Increasing evidence suggests that mechanical cues inherent to the extracellular matrix may
be as important as its chemical nature in regulating cell behavior. Here, the response of cells …

Cell migration is essential for a wide range of biological processes such as embryo
morphogenesis, wound healing, regeneration, and also in pathological conditions, such as …

From the cell cytoskeleton to connective tissues, fibrous networks are ubiquitous in
metazoan life as the key promoters of mechanical strength, support and integrity. In recent …