Neurite outgrowth underlies the wiring of the nervous system during development and
regeneration. Despite a significant body of research, the underlying cytoskeletal mechanics …

The brain is our most complex organ. During development, neurons extend axons, which
may grow over long distances along well-defined pathways to connect to distant targets. Our …

The axon is a sophisticated macromolecular machine composed of interrelated parts that
transmit signals like spur gears transfer motion between parallel shafts. The growth cone is a …

Axons are the slender, cable-like, up to meter-long projections of neurons that electrically
wire our brains and bodies. In spite of their challenging morphology, they usually need to be …

The establishment of a functioning neuronal network is a crucial step in neural development.
During this process, neurons extend neurites—axons and dendrites—to meet other neurons …

Microtubules are highly polar structures and are characterized by high anisotropy and
stiffness. In neurons, they play a key role in the directional transport of vesicles and …

Mechanical force is crucial in guiding axon outgrowth before and after synapse formation.
This process is referred to as" stretch growth." However, how neurons transduce mechanical …

Spectrin, a large cytoskeletal protein, consists of a heterodimeric structure comprising α and
β subunits. Here, we have studied the mechanics of spectrin filament as a major constituent …

The KMN (Knl1/Mis12/Ndc80) network at the kinetochore, primarily known for its role in
chromosome segregation, has been shown to be repurposed during neurodevelopment …

Physiological and pathological processes of living soft tissues always involve complicated
interplays of biological, chemical, mechanical, and physical cues. Understanding the …