Modeling actin-microtubule crosstalk during centrosome positioning in cell migration and division

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Heiko Rieger
• Subject Area: Biophysics ; Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 468346334

The correct positioning of the centrosome is crucial during mitosis, intracellular cargo transport and polarization in migration and immune cell activation and killing. It is becoming increasingly clear that the microtubule and actin cytoskeleton work together in this core cellular processes and that their functional dynamic properties are often intimately intertwined. In this project, we aim to understand the role of cellular geometry, microtubule, actomyosin network, and crosstalk among these components in positioning the centrosome in the interphase cell. We plan to develop a computational model to study the influence of a dynamically changing cell shape and actin cortex generated forces on the centrosome positioning centrosome in static and migrating cells in two and three dimensions. Vice versa it is known that centrosome position strongly correlates with the direction of movement in migrating cells, which we aim to analyze with our computational model. Our ultimate goal is to identify the actin-microtubule crosstalk mechanisms that enables amoeboid migrating cells to navigate through a complex three-dimensional environment like extracellular matrices.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: India
• Partner Organisation: Department of Biotechnology (DBT) ; Ministry of Science and Technology
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Raja Paul