M. Balland

An EpCAM/Trop2 mechanostat differentially regulates individual and collective behaviour of human carcinoma cells

This study shows that EpCAM and Trop2 differentially regulate cell spreading and adhesion in breast cancer cells by modulating cortical tension.

Force propagation between epithelial cells depends on active coupling and mechano-structural polarization

This study shows that force propagation between epithelial cells depends on active coupling and mechano-structural polarization, with stronger responses when polarization is perpendicular to force direction.

Cell size and actin architecture determine force generation in optogenetically activated adherent cells

This study shows that cell size and actin architecture influence force generation in optogenetically activated adherent cells through RhoA signaling dynamics.

Light-driven biological actuators to probe the rheology of 3D microtissues

This study uses light to control cell contractility in 3D microtissues to measure their mechanical properties and anisotropy.

Optineurin links Hace1-dependent Rac ubiquitylation to integrin-mediated mechanotransduction to control bacterial invasion and cell division

This study shows OPTN regulates bacterial invasion by linking HACE1-mediated Rac1 ubiquitylation to integrin mechanotransduction and ECM stiffness.

A mechano-osmotic feedback couples cell volume to the rate of cell deformation

The paper shows that cell volume depends on the rate of deformation, proposing a mechano-osmotic coupling model involving actin cortex and ion fluxes.

The Amot/Integrin protein complex transmits mechanical forces required for vascular expansion

This study shows that Amot is essential for vascular expansion by transmitting mechanical forces through the integrin adhesome in mice.

ERRα coordinates actin and focal adhesion dynamics

This study shows ERRα regulates actin dynamics and focal adhesion by modulating the RhoA-ROCK-LIMK-cofilin pathway and MAP4K4 activity.

Adaptive mechanoproperties characterize glioblastoma fitness for invasion

The paper identifies FMN1 as a driver of glioblastoma invasiveness by linking it to increased cell stiffness, mechanical forces, and stochastic motility.

Mechanosensitive nuclear asymmetries define a bipolar spindle scaffold to ensure mitotic fidelity

The paper shows that nuclear asymmetry during prophase, driven by mechanical cues, enables proper centrosome positioning and bipolar spindle formation for accurate mitosis.

Molecular flux control encodes distinct cytoskeletal responses by specifying SRC signaling pathway usage.

The paper uses optogenetic control of SRC kinase to show that distinct cytoskeletal responses are encoded by spatial and temporal molecular fluxes of the same signaling protein.

Confinement-induced transition between wave-like collective cell migration modes

This study shows that epithelial cell layers confined to narrow geometries exhibit tissue-level waves that undergo a phase transition, independent of confinement length, revealing an intrinsic mechanism for supracellular distance measurement.

Actomyosin-driven force patterning controls endocytosis at the immune synapse

This study shows that mechanical forces at the immune synapse are spatially and temporally patterned by actomyosin dynamics, with global contractile forces at the periphery and local forces at the center, which regulate endocytosis.

Stick-slip dynamics of cell adhesion triggers spontaneous symmetry breaking and directional migration

Cells break symmetry through mechanical instabilities causing stochastic adhesion detachment, initiating migration without pre-established polarity.

Magneto-active substrates for local mechanical stimulation of living cells

The paper develops magneto-active substrates to apply local and dynamic mechanical stimulation to single cells, enabling study of mechanotransduction through traction and compression.

Asymmetric adhesion of rod-shaped bacteria controls microcolony morphogenesis

This study shows asymmetric adhesion in rod-shaped bacteria drives microcolony shape and signal circulation during biofilm formation.