Spatio-temporal organization of morphogenic signal network dynamics in cells

Cells have to dynamically and locally change their shape to perform various physiological functions. For example, during directional migration, cells generate protrusive forces in their front and contractile forces in their back. How cells control such local cell shape changes is still poorly understood. Intracellular signal networks, that generate local activity patterns via feedback regulation, are thought to play an important role in this process. To investigate such systems, we developed new photochemical and optogenetic tools, which enable acute local activity perturbations that can be combined with the readout of multiple local signal network response measurements. I will present, how we applied these tools to deduce a reaction-diffusion system that can generate local patterns of cell contraction. I will then discuss, how this system is modulated by biochemical and mechanical inputs, and how it can be integrated into a theoretical concept for the spatio-temporal organization of cell morphodynamics.

Hybrid seminar in Amphi Curie and on Teams