Modelling optogenetic control of cell contractility Ulrich Schwarz, Heidelberg University Animal cells are highly dynamic and continuously generate force, for example for mechanosensing, cell division, cell migration, morphogenesis and regeneration. Their main force generators are non-muscle myosin II molecular motors that slide actin filaments past one another. We first discuss how myosin II minifilaments dynamically ... Read more

Involucrar als pacients, no és una moda passatjera Begonya Nafria Escalera, Patient Engagement in Research Head of Department at Sant Joan de Déu Chidren’s Hospital (Spain) La recerca i la innovació que respongui a les necessitats dels pacients, requereix involucrar-los en les fases inicials i durant la vida d’un projecte. En aquesta sessió parlarem sobre ... Read more

Mechanochemical feedback in model epithelial tissues Silke Henkes, Leiden Institute of Physics, Leiden University In the development of animals, tissues self-organise starting from a single cell into layers, shapes and patterns. This active mechanical process operates beyond the theoretical framework of reaction-diffusion equations such as Turing patterns. At the same time, combining active driving with ... Read more

Next-generation organoid models for colorectal cancer research Francisco Lorenzo-Martín, University of Salamanca  Three-dimensional organoid culture technologies have revolutionized cancer research by allowing for more realistic and scalable reproductions of tumor structures. This has enabled better modelling of low-complexity cancer cell behaviors that occur over short periods of time. However, the currently available organoid systems lack ... Read more