2020

Many cells in the body must pass through tissues, which sometimes requires them to get out of tight corners. An international research project co-​led by the Muller group has now examined how cells recognise and escape from such bottlenecks. Among the results of the team’s work are new pointers for how to improve immunotherapy.

The correct regulation of adhesive interactions between cells and their environment is essential for health. Our latest paper in Nature Materials provides mechanistic insights as to how extracellular signals are transmitted into the cell where they lead to intracellular regulation of cell adhesive properties to the extracellular matrix. The process is important for tissue formation and wound healing while its dysregulation may result in cancer progression.

Congratulations to our former lab member Rajib Schubert for starting his new position as a junior group leader at Roche, Silicon Valley. Have a great and very successful time!!

How do the different parts of a neuron respond to mechanical stimuli such as those occurring during subtraumatic forces? In an interdisciplinary effort with the Fussenegger group at D-BSSE and the Roska group from the Institute of Ophthalmology (IOB) of the University Basel, we investigated the mechanosensitivity of neurons from the rat brain. The findings may guide future studies to mechanically control neurons by, for example, electromagnetic forces or ultrasound.

The restructuring of the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg, Germany, towards a focus on interactions between macromolecules in living cells, benefits from the advice of external Scientific Members. The Max Planck Society has appointed Daniel as a Scientific Member to help support the re-orientation of the institute.