Understanding the emergent behaviour of cell motion

Mark Miodownik (primary)
Mechanical Engineering
University College London
Brian Stramer (secondary)
Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics
Kings College London

Abstract

The movement of all cell types is controlled by the retrograde motion of a crosslinked network of actin polymers. This retrograde flow is driven by a complex combination of polymerization at one end of the network plus motor driven contraction and depolymerisation at the opposite end. Work in the laboratory has revealed that this network-wide actin flow is highly organized and likely controlled by the mechanics of the network. We will combine computer vision techniques that allow precise quantitation of actin flows in migrating cells with computational modelling in order to understand the biophysical control of actin motion.


References

Davis J, Luchici A, Mosis F, Thackery J, Salazar J, Mao M, Dunn G, Betz T, Miodownik M, Stramer B. (2015) Inter-cellular Forces Orchestrate Contact Inhibition of Locomotion. Cell. 161:361-373.
Davis J, Huang C, Zanet J, Harrison S, Rosten E, Cox S, Soong D, Dunn G, Stramer B. (2012) Emergence of embryonic pattern through contact inhibition of locomotion. Development. 139: 4555-4560.
Stramer B, Moreira S, Millard T, Evans I, Sabet O, Milner M, Martin P, Wood W. (2010) Clasp mediated microtubule bundling regulates persistent motility and contact repulsion in Drosophila macrophages in vivo. J. Cell Biol. 189:681-689
Stramer B, Wood W, Galko M, Redd M, Jacinto A, Parkhurst S, and Martin P. (2005) Live imaging of wound inflammation in Drosophila embryos reveals key roles for small GTPases during in vivo cell migration. J. Cell. Biol. 168:567-573.
Zanet J, Jayo A, Plaza S, Millard T, Parsons M, Stramer B. (2012) Fascin promotes filopodia formation independent of its role in actin-bundling. J. Cell Biol. 197:477-486


BBSRC Area
Genes, development and STEM* approaches to biology
Area of Biology
Cell BiologyDevelopment
Techniques & Approaches
BiophysicsImage ProcessingMathematics / StatisticsMicroscopy / ElectrophysiologySimulation / Modelling