Newsletter 06. September – December 2023
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Newsletter
Outreach
How the transmission of forces between cellular networks explains the expression of transcriptional regulators by Pablo Sáez
Pablo Sáez (LaCàN, IMTech) Cells engage in continuous interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM). This connection between cells and the ECM is responsible for various cellular and tissue responses, including tissue morphogenesis, repair, and organ development [1]. However, when unregulated, this cell-ECM connection can lead to pathological conditions. Among the factors influencing cell-ECM behavior, the
Research Highlights
Quantum error-correcting codes and their geometries, by Simeon Ball
(DMAT, IMTech) A qubit is a two-state quantum-mechanical system. For example, the intrinsic angular momentum (spin) of an electron is such a system. It only takes two values when measured in arbitrary spatial direction, say by measuring the electrons deflection when passing by a magnetic field. The two corresponding spin-states are commonly referred to as
Outreach
The circular restricted three-body problem: a modern symplectic viewpoint by Agustín Moreno
Agustín Moreno (Heidelberg University, Germany) Introduction The three-body problem is the dynamical system corresponding to three masses under gravitational interaction, as described by Newton’s law. It is one of those ancient conundrums that has withstood the ages, maturing like a complex wine. Its study goes back at least to the times of Newton, and its
Research Highlights
The laminin–keratin link shields the nucleus from mechanical deformation and signalling by Zanetta Kechagia, Pablo Sáez, Manuel Gómez-González, Brenda Canales, Srivatsava Viswanadha, Martín Zamarbide, Ion Andreu, Thijs Koorman, Amy E. M. Beedle, Alberto Elosegui-Artola, Patrick W. B. Derksen, Xavier Trepat, Marino Arroyo, Pere Roca-Cusachs
Nature Materials volume 22, pages1409–1420 (2023). The cell skeleton (cytoskeleton) is formed by multiple filaments of different mechanical properties, creating a dense mesh with diverse and complex responses. These cytoskeleton networks interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM) to determine the cell behavior. The paper by Kechagia et al. shows that laminin, a ubiquitous protein in