Teams

The goal of our group is to decipher at the molecular level the spatiotemporal and mechanical processes which control the architecture and dynamics of motile structures. Mainly in the context of cell migration by studying integrin-based adhesions and the actin-based lamellipodium. But also in the context of neuronal structural plasticity by studying the actin cytoskeleton in axons and dendritic spines. To reach this molecular understanding, our group developed for the last ten years, new strategies to study adhesive and cytoskeletal structures at the molecular level using super-resolution microscopy and single protein tracking. Our group unraveled key molecular events leading to: integrins activation and mechano-sensing in healthy and cancer cells; actin assembly in dendritic spines, and in lamellipodia. These studies at the nanoscale revealed within macromolecular complexes, the correlation between protein molecular dynamics and functions, and how physical and mechanical parameters control protein organizations, dynamics and functions.

• Research focus 1 : Integrin-based adhesions: migrating cells, developing Drosophila, metastatic cancer cells
• Research focus 2 : Actin-based protrusive structures: migrating cells, metastatic cancer cells
• Research focus 3 : Adhesive and cytoskeletal neuronal structures: dendritic spines, the axon and its initial segment
• Research focus 4 : Super-resolution microscopy developments: combination with cell stretching (coll. Nassoy team, LP2N) and RESOLFT/STED nanoscopy (coll. Lounis team, LP2N)