L. Baldauf

Biomimetic actin cortices shape cell-sized lipid vesicles

This study reconstitutes biomimetic actin cortices inside lipid vesicles to show how actin polymerization forces can both rigidify and deform membranes depending on nucleator distribution.

Rupture Strength of Living Cell Monolayers

This study investigates how epithelial monolayers withstand mechanical stress and rupture, showing that keratin filaments control strain stiffening and tissue strength.

Reconstituted branched actin networks sense and generate micron-scale membrane curvature

This paper shows that branched actin networks can sense and generate membrane curvature without relying on external factors, using reconstituted systems in giant unilamellar vesicles.

Weak catch bonds make strong networks

This paper shows that weak catch bonds in cytoskeletal networks enhance mechanical strength and deformability by enabling dissociation-on-demand, contrasting with the traditional strength-on-demand model.

Evolutionary variations in the biofilm-associated protein BslA from the genus Bacillus

The paper characterizes BslA orthologues and a paralogue from different Bacillus species, showing functional substitution and correlating biophysical properties with function.