CytoMorpho Lab

The CytoMorpho Lab was founded in 2010 by Laurent Blanchoin and Manuel Théry. It is located across two research centers: IRIG in Grenoble and ESPCI in Paris. The team studies the physical and chemical processes that contribute to the self-organization of the cytoskeleton.

To achieve this, two complementary approaches are used. On the one hand, the team studies the architecture and dynamics of actin filament and microtubule networks in living cells, with a particular interest in the mechanical properties of these networks and their ability to break their symmetry and polarize. On the other hand, the team reconstitutes these networks in vitro using purified proteins. By mixing filaments and molecular motors in defined proportions, it is possible to identify the fundamental processes that govern the assembly and dynamics of cytoskeletal networks.

At the interface between these two approaches lies the emerging field of "artificial cells." The team is contributing to this momentum by trying to build systems capable of adapting their architecture to their environment, moving around, and potentially recording and processing information.

You can find more information on the team’s website:CML