M. Sixt

Unveiling the ultrastructural landscape of native extracellular matrix via lift-out cryo-FIBSEM and cryo-ET

This paper develops a 3D-ECM platform to visualize native extracellular matrix structures using cryo-FIBSEM and cryo-ET, revealing new insights into ECM composition and organization.

Synchronization in collectively moving inanimate and living active matter

The paper identifies actin wave synchronization as a mechanism for collective cell motion in confined environments and demonstrates this through mechanical models.

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells regulate megakaryocyte and platelet homeostasis

This study identifies plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) as regulators of megakaryopoiesis and platelet homeostasis, showing their role in maintaining steady-state and stress conditions, and their involvement in SARS-CoV2-induced thrombosis.

Sinking the way: a dual role for CCR7 in collective leukocyte migration

This study shows CCR7 has a dual role in leukocyte migration by both sensing and consuming its ligand to generate and modulate chemotactic gradients.

Type 1 piliated uropathogenic Escherichia coli hijack the host immune response by binding to CD14

This study identifies CD14 as a binding partner of FimH in uropathogenic E. coli, revealing a mechanism by which bacteria evade the immune response and suggesting a therapeutic target for persistent infections.

Multi-tier mechanics control stromal adaptations in swelling lymph nodes

The paper investigates how lymph nodes accommodate size increases during immune challenges by analyzing biomechanical adaptations of fibroblastic reticular cells and fibroblasts.

Mechanosensitivity of amoeboid cells crawling in 3D

This study shows how amoeboid cells use WASp-driven actin spikes to push against mechanical loads in 3D environments, enabling efficient migration through dense tissues.

Loss of Hem1 disrupts macrophage function and impacts on migration, phagocytosis and integrin-mediated adhesion

This study shows that Hem1 deficiency impairs macrophage migration, phagocytosis, and integrin-mediated adhesion by disrupting WRC function and paxillin phosphorylation.

Sensing their plasma membrane curvature allows migrating cells to circumvent obstacles

The paper identifies a curvature-sensing mechanism in immune-like cells that enables obstacle avoidance through actin and membrane dynamics.

Dendritic cell actin dynamics controls T cell priming efficiency at the immunological synapse

This study shows that dendritic cell actin dynamics, regulated by the WAVE complex, influence T cell priming efficiency at the immunological synapse by modulating synaptic structure and adhesion.

Loss of Ena/VASP interferes with lamellipodium architecture, motility and integrin-dependent adhesion

This study shows that Ena/VASP proteins promote cell migration by regulating lamellipodium architecture, actin dynamics, and integrin-dependent adhesion.

Adhesion-free cell migration by topography-based force transduction

This study shows leukocytes can migrate without adhesion by using substrate topography to transduce force from actin retrograde flow.

Microtubules control cellular shape and coherence in amoeboid migrating cells

This study shows that microtubules regulate protrusion retraction in migrating cells by controlling myosin II contractility through Lfc, maintaining cell shape and coherence.

Dual Phenotype Of MDA-MB-468 Cancer Cells Reveals Mutual Regulation Of Tensin3 And Adhesion Plasticity

The paper identifies tensin3 as a determinant of adhesion plasticity in MDA-MB-468 cancer cells, showing its role in regulating the switch between adhesive and non-adhesive states.