Research
Urban regeneration and the social aspects of urban change
Background
Since the very early days of cell biology studies, more than 100 years ago, researchers recognized the importance of cell attachment to rigid surfaces and its essential role in growth and migration. Later it was recognized that unlike normal tissue cells, cancer cells are able to grow in suspension without solid support, making them “anchorage‐independent”. This hallmark property of cancer cells has highlighted the importance of correct sensing of the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In particular, ECM rigidity has emerged as a major determinant of many cellular aspects – including survival, migration, proliferation, and differentiation.
Goals
We discovered that cells probe the rigidity of their surrounding matrix through actomyosin displacements that are remarkably independent of the mechanical properties of the matrix, revealing that the forces they generate are inherently non-mechanosensitive. These probing events are not merely mechanical responses — they serve as critical checkpoints in cellular decision-making processes, influencing fundamental behaviors such as growth, migration, apoptosis, and differentiation. Building on these findings, we are currently investigating how cells integrate mechanical cues over space and time to guide these complex decisions.
