Force Production and
Mechanosensing by Cells

In processes such as cell migration and wound healing cells interact with their environment both chemically and mechanically. Mechanical interactions are two-way: response to external force and exertion of force. By exerting force cells can couple to or modify the environment or measure its mechanical properties. Broadly, our research aims to understand different cellular contractile actomyosin machines used for these purposes and to identify common principles. We have modeled the stress fiber, a relatively well characterized tension-producing machine used in wound healing and matrix remodeling whose organization is related to that of muscle myofibrils. Predicted stress fiber kinetics reflect the organization of known components and mechanical feedback from the surroundings. A key principle which emerges is coupling between internal stresses and turnover rates. A related focus of our work is force fields produced by migrating cells and their measurement using nanostructured substrates.