Mechanics and dynamics of biological adhesion

Geometrically confined macromolecular adhesion sites are pivotal for cellular adhesion to act as mechanical sensors and to transmit regulatory biochemical signals. In this project, we plan to understand their formation in tailored model systems, by computer simulations, as well as in living cells. Next to membrane models encompassing a contractile actomyosin cortex, we will investigate the assembly scheme and role of actin foci for the cell-substrate adhesion of Dictyostelium discoideum and compare cellular adhesion with our designed model systems.