Author Archives: thomas
Molecule counting in STORM
We developed a novel methodology to count the number of molecules in a STORM image. That allowed us to address the stoichiometry of adhesion proteins in focal adhesions. It appeared that the stoichiometry in FAK is independent on the force … Continue reading
From molecule to tissue.
Cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions are governed by interactions between individual molecules. But how does a tissue emerge from those localized and individual events? In this review we summarize our current understanding. Holding it together: when cadherin meets cadherin Arslan, F. … Continue reading
Rick joined the team – welcome!
Rick joined our team as PhD student to investigate the role of mechanics and forces in metastasis. The project is embedded in a research program sponsored by an NWO EW-groot grant. Characterization of the Role of Cellular Forces in Cancer … Continue reading
Pericyte mechanics.
Olga’s paper appeared in Stem Cell Reports, reporting on the particular mechanoresponse of pericytes, that might be related to their function. Fibronectin Patches as Anchoring Points for Force Sensing and Transmission in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Pericytes. Pericytes (PCs) … Continue reading
Cells in Hypergravity .
Ever wondered how cells react when you fly them at 20g? Indeed they change their mechanical and other properties. This experiment, driven by Julia, is a ramp-up to our experiment flying on ISS. Hypergravity affects Cell Traction Forces of Fibroblasts … Continue reading
Mechanics of Cancer granted .
Our NWO-EW Groot program grant was granted. In this program we seek for a physical understanding of the processes involved in metastases. The dream would be that such understanding might lead to novel intervention strategies. Genetic programs driving metastasis of … Continue reading
Cecilia and Alessandro – welcome .
Cecilia and Alessandro started their PhD on a collaborative project funded by the Dutch Cancer Research Foundation (KWF) together with the groups of Elisa Giovannetti (VUmc), and Eric Danen (LACDR). Integrative mechanobiology and genomics profiling of resistance patterns to foster … Continue reading
Hemidesmosome mechanics, JCB 219, e201904137
Wang, W., A. Zuidema, L. te Molder, L. Nahidiazar, L. Hoekman, T. Schmidt, S. Coppola, and A. Sonnenberg. 2020. Hemidesmosomes modulate force generation via focal adhesions. The Journal of Cell Biology 219(2). [DOI] Abstract Hemidesmosomes are specialized cell-matrix adhesion structures … Continue reading
Brillouin Imaging: BOE 5, 2202 –
Coppola, S., T. Schmidt, G. Ruocco, and G. Antonacci. 2019. “Quantifying cellular forces and biomechanical properties by correlative micropillar traction force and Brillouin microscopy”. Biomed. Opt. Express 10(5):2202-2212. [DOI] [pdf] Cells sense and respond to external physical forces and substrate … Continue reading
First Person: Veer Keizer –
Interview with Veer on GR mobility in JCS.
