2. Cell surface receptor mechanics and crosstalk

Using microscopy-based techniques, we study integrin-mediated force sensing and mechanotransduction. We have implemented molecular fluorescence tension microscopy with surface nanopatterning techniques to measure molecular forces at single integrin binding sites (Liu Y et al, Nano Lett 2014). We have also combined traction force microscopy with surface nanopatterning to determine the impact of integrin clustering on mechanosensing (Oria R et al., Nature 2017).

Integrin-mediated forces are also related to the spatial regulation and crosstalk of integrin and growth factor receptor complexes at adhesion sites (Medda R et al., OLEN 2016), as well as to the involvement of integrin clustering in clathrin-mediated endocytosis of viral particles.

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