Inside every living cell, tiny molecular machines are constantly in motion, shifting shapes, tugging on membranes and shuttling ions from one side to the other. That restless activity does more than ...

Scientists at the MPI-DS have investigated how this motion interacts with the growth of the entire colony, which can be observed in a wide variety of cellular aggregates. Such growth happens when ...

How does the neural tube close? A new study uses physics-based modeling to reveal the actin "purse-string" mechanism and cellular coordination that prevents spina bifida.

The cells in our bodies move in groups during biological processes such as wound healing and tissue development—but because of resistance, or viscosity, those cells can't just neatly glide past each ...

A ring of beads connected to tentacles A modeling study shows how chemical reactions can stimulate motion in simple systems, like the structure here—made of enzyme coated beads connected to ...

Cells migrate actively through a growing colony. This mixing can be inhibited when motility is too weak or growth is too strong. The ability to actively migrate is a fundamental property of living ...