Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
+ quantitative live-imaging, + cytoskeletal dynamics, + nematode genetics, + biophysics, + evolutionary development (evo‑devo)
By combining quantitative experiments with biophysical models, we have shown that the F-actin elongator Formin facilitates molecular-scale torque generation in early C. elegans embryos. In turn, this drives organismal left-right symmetry breaking. [pubmed] [doi]
We have found that, in a subset of cells in early C. elegans embryos, the actomyosin cortex displays chiral counter-rotations. These chiral counter-rotations reposition cells relative to each other, which is essential for normal development. [pubmed] [doi]
By performing mechanical and genetic perturbations on early C. elegans embryos, we have shown that actomyosin-dependent force generation aligns the dorsoventral axis with embryo geometry.
