Munro Lab – University of Chicago

We study how embryos integrate biochemical signaling, cytoskeletal dynamics and cell mechanics to orchestrate complex cell and tissue behaviors. We combine live imaging, genetic perturbations, biophysical analysis, and computer simulations to address questions in three main areas: Dynamic control of self-organized actomyosin contractility, cell polarization in C. elegans, and tissue morphogenesis in ascidians The forces that shape embryonic cells and tissues are produced by dynamic contractile networks of actin filaments, myosin motors and cross-linking proteins. The big challenge is to understand how embryonic cells remodel these networks by tuning network assembly, architecture and motor activity to do a sequence of different jobs – to polarize, move, change shape and divide. To address this challenge, we combine in vivo studies in C. elegans with computer simulations, focusing on three specific examples: the long range flows that polarize cells, self assembly of the contractile rin

Welcome to the Munro Lab We study how embryos integrate biochemical signaling, cytoskeletal dynamics and cell mechanics to orchestrate complex cell and tissue behaviors. We combine live imaging, genetic perturbations, biophysical analysis, and computer simulations to address questions in three main areas: Dynamic control of self-organized actomyosin contractility, cell polarization in C. elegans, and tissue morphogenesis in ascidians The forces that shape embryonic cells and tissues are produced by dynamic contractile networks of actin filaments, myosin motors and cross-linking proteins. The b

related reading

• Research – MartinLabmartin-lab.mit.edu
• Patterning and Morphogenesis From Cells to Organisms: Progress, Common Principles and New Challenges - PMCncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Intracellular signalling and intercellular coupling coordinate heterogeneous contractile events to facilitate tissue folding | Nature Communicationsnature.com
• Pulsatile contractions and pattern formation in excitable actomyosin cortex | PLOS Computational Biologyjournals.plos.org
• Spatial Information | Department of Biologyas.tufts.edu
• A contractile actomyosin network linked to adherens junctions by Canoe/afadin helps drive convergent extension - PMCncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Roadmap for the multiscale coupling of biochemical and mechanical signals during development - IOPscienceiopscience.iop.org
• Research | Streichan Labstreichanlab.physics.ucsb.edu
• Powering morphogenesis: multiscale challenges at the interface of cell adhesion and the cytoskeleton - PMCncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Biochemical Basis of Cell Polarization by the PAR Protein System - Daniel Dickinsongrantome.com
• Molecules and Cells – Mahadevan Natural Philosophysoftmath.seas.harvard.edu
• Filopodia-based contact stimulation of cell migration drives tissue morphogenesis | Nature Communicationsnature.com