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Encoding mechanical information in the ATP-fuelled membrane of a living cell
In-person only
Eukaryotic cells sense and decode chemical and mechanical signals via plasma membrane receptors such as integrins. Evidence, including our own1, shows the plasma membrane encodes, amplifies, and feeds back on these extracellular cues. How can a compositionally heterogeneous fluid bilayer process information? We find that upon integrin activation, cells generate localized mesoscale liquid-ordered membrane domains (“active emulsions”2) downstream of RhoA signaling and mechanotransduction1. These domains encode substrate chemistry and mechanics, regulating integrin function, cell spreading, and migration. Such organization arises from engagement with myosin motors, a dynamic cortical actin meshwork, and actively maintained bilayer asymmetry, creating an ATP-fueled, mechano-responsive medium integrating peripheral cues. 1. PMID: 31104842; 2. PMID: 35867835
Date:
16 February 2026, 12:00
Venue:
Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Headington OX3 7FY
Venue Details:
Kennedy Lecture Theatre
Speaker:
Professor Satyajit Mayor (University of Warwick)
Organising department:
Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS)
Organisers:
Tess Lawless (Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology),
Katie Roberts (University of Oxford)
Host:
Professor Marco Fritszche (Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology)
Part of:
Kennedy Institute Seminars
Booking required?:
Not required
Audience:
Members of the University only
Editor:
Katie Roberts
