Mechanobiological Analysis of Microtubule-Based Forces at Epithelial Adherens Junctions During Tissue Morphogenesis

• Applicant: Dr. Maja Matis
• Subject Area: Cell Biology ; Biophysics ; Developmental Biology
• Term: from 2015 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 273722710

Mechanobiology, the spatio-temporal organization of forces originating from biomolecules, plays an important role in regulating a variety of cellular behaviors. One such example is tissue morphogenesis, where individual cells self-assemble into complex tissues and organs with highly specialized forms and functions. Such precise sculpting requires the application of forces generated within cells by the cytoskeleton and transmission of these forces through adhesion molecules within and between neighboring cells. In order to reshape a tissue, force generation must exceed mechanical resistance, thus global patterns of force generation and tissue stiffness jointly dictate speed and direction of tissue rearrangements. On the molecular level, genetic processes control both, force production and tissue stiffness within the developing tissue. While many of the genes and chemical cues that regulate these processes during morphogenesis have been identified, little is known quantitatively about how these mechanical processes are coupled across cells in a developing tissue. Here, we will use new optical and chemical tools in conjunction with classical genetic approaches to quantitatively analyze how the cytoskeleton coordinates forces across cells during morphogenetic rearrangements in a tissue. Considering their emerging role as global force integrators, a particular focus of the study will be put on the role of microtubules (MTs) nucleated at adherens junctions.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1782: Epithelial intercellular junctions as dynamic hubs to integrate forces, signals and cell behaviour