Actin-rich cellular protrusions direct versatile biological processes from cancer cell invasion to dendritic spine development. The stability, morphology, and specific biological functions of these protrusions are regulated by crosstalk between three main signaling axes: integrins, actin regulators, and small guanosine…
Hanna is joining the lab !
We are delighted to have Hanna Parkkola in the lab! She is back to her roots in cell culture after momentarily venturing into the wild world of protein chemistry. Welcome back!…
Mitro Miikhinen defended his PhD thesis in September !
Thanks to Staffan Strömblad, the opponent of Mitro from University of Stockholm for the visit. It was a great time. Now Mitro is going to be fine, studying hardcore statistics! The best of luck!…
Sortilin-related receptor is a druggable therapeutic target in breast cancer by Hussein Al-Akhrass et al.
In breast cancer, the currently approved anti-receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-2 (HER2) therapies do not fully meet the expected clinical goals due to therapy resistance. Identifying alternative HER2-related therapeutic targets could offer a means to overcome these resistance mechanisms. We have…
Myosin-X and talin modulate integrin activity at filopodia tips by Mitro Miihkinen et al.
Filopodia assemble unique integrin-adhesion complexes to sense the extracellular matrix. However, the mechanisms of integrin regulation in filopodia are poorly defined. Here, we report that active integrins accumulate at the tip of myosin-X (MYO10)-positive filopodia, while inactive integrins are uniformly…
Paulina’s paper is accepted !!
Celebrating our recent publication in Nature Cell Biology and the associated Highlight written by Pat Caswell ! Thanks Pat !…
Martina Lerche defended her PhD thesis in September – such a RUSH !
Warm thank to Patrick Caswell, her opponent from University of Manchester, for joining us in person. It was an amazing scientific discussion. Now Martina is fighting border guards to enter the US and join the lab of Clare Waterman! Good…
Zebrafish Embryo Xenograft and Metastasis Assay by Ilkka Paatero et al.
Xenograft models, and in particular the mouse xenograft model, where human cancer cells are transplanted into immunocompromised mice, have been used extensively in cancer studies. Although these models have contributed enormously to our understanding of cancer biology, the zebrafish xenograft…
Talin rod domain-containing protein 1 (TLNRD1) is a novel actin-bundling protein which promotes filopodia formation by Alana R Cowell et al.
Talin is a mechanosensitive adapter protein that couples integrins to the cytoskeleton. Talin rod domain-containing protein 1 (TLNRD1) shares 22% homology with the talin R7R8 rod domains, and is highly conserved throughout vertebrate evolution, although little is known about its…
Integrin adhesion complexes by Megan R Chastney et al.
Tissue architecture and function are orchestrated by an intricate repertoire of cellular adhesion and signalling receptors, and by the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). The essential role of cell-tissue interactions in guiding organogenesis was identified in experimental embryology studies over a…