Big news from the lab. Our latest paper: Basement membrane turnover controls cell shape is published in Cell!

We are thrilled to share that our lab’s newest study has officially been published in Cell! You can read the full open-access paper here: DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2026.07.010.

What the Study Is About

The regulation of 3D cell shape is one of the most fundamental problems in biology. In epithelial tissues, cell shape emerges from a delicate balance of forces inside and outside the cell, with the basement membrane (BM) serving as the primary extracellular barrier. Yet, despite its importance, very little was known about how the mechanical properties of the BM are regulated or how they directly dictate cell shape.

Through a cross-disciplinary approach, our team established a multiscale framework to bridge this gap:

• Mathematical Modeling: We demonstrated that the stress relaxation time of the BM directly regulates 3D cell shape.

• Molecular Dynamics: We showed via simulations that the stress relaxation time of a collagen IV network can be inferred from the molecular lifetime of collagen IV itself.

• In Vivo Dynamics: To measure collagen IV turnover in living tissue, we developed a novel fluorescent timer reporter and discovered that perlecan plays a crucial role in modifying collagen IV lifetime.

Why It Matters By connecting molecular turnover to tissue-level mechanical properties, this work establishes a new framework to probe extracellular matrix turnover, its regulation, and its ultimate function in controlling cell architecture.

A Huge Team Effort This paper wouldn't exist without the dedication, curiosity, and relentless effort of all the authors. A massive thank you to our co-authors, collaborators, funding agencies, and core facilities who supported this project.

Grab a slice of cake—we are celebrating this one! 🥂🔬