Seminars

Abstract:
Cell shape and function are tightly coupled at different scales. In this talk, I will focus on two length scales of cell shape and function — (1) changing the shape of the cell locally due to curvature generation, relevant for trafficking and (2) impact of cell shape on mechanotransduction. Using biophysical modeling, I will discuss our recent efforts on generate membrane curvature due to membrane-protein interactions and the energy landscape of these deformations. Next, I will discuss how the assembly of membrane-protein aggregates can impact signaling dynamics of second messengers such as calcium and cAMP in cells. Finally, as a global example of mechanotransduction, I will discuss how YAP/TAZ nuclear translocation can be mediated by cell shape and substrate stiffness.

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