MOVING

Motion of Object via INternal Growth
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Understanding what differentiates an inert object from living matter is a fundamental question in biology. Living matter is dynamic and requires a continuous energy consumption; however, the fundamental principles of its dynamics are still largely unknown.

We would like to propose a project to identify the basic principle of motion in life by working on the design of moving vesicles, which would be propelled by the internal assembly-contraction-remodeling-disassembly of actin filaments.
To establish first the optimal condition for actin based motility in a confined environment, we will use microwells, mimicking the cell volume. In this defined and controlled environment, we will follow the dynamics of actin structures responsible for motility and quantify many parameters to characterize their behavior in a quantitative manner. Then, we will use this knowledge to test whether in a vesicle, actin dynamics could promote symmetry break and vesicle motion. Finally,  we will design micropatterned tracks with ligand interacting with membrane-inserted proteins to direct vesicle motion.
In the future, we will add more blocks to this biomimetic system in order to go towards the reconstitution of an artificial cell.  

Webpage of the Cytomorph Lab

Selected publications:
Quantitative regulation of the dynamic steady state of actin networks. Manhart et al., Elife. 2019
Network heterogeneity regulates steering in actin-based motility. Boujemaa-Paterski et al., Nat. Commun. 2017
Actin dynamics, architecture, and mechanics in cell motility. Blanchoin et al., Physiol Rev. 2014
Actin network architecture can determine myosin motor activity. Reymann et al, Science 2012


 
Published on June 8, 2021
Updated on October 13, 2022