# Mechanisms of Contractile Network Assembly

> **NIH NIH R35** · LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO · 2020 · $368,430

## Abstract

Project Summary
 A fundamental question in cell biology is how the proper level of cell contractility is generated
to drive cell and tissue morphogenesis. We know that cells must coordinate contractile events to
enable dynamic movements. We do not know how they generate and tune contractility in the right
place at the right time. Myosin 2 filaments are the dominant force-generating motor proteins in all
cells and tissues. Recent advances in light microscopy have enabled us to observe myosin 2
dynamics in living cells at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. We have observed
complexity at the subcellular level that we never considered or anticipated from decades of in vitro
studies. This proposal uses high-resolution imaging along with a toolbox of cellular and molecular
assays to dissect the mechanisms by which cells build actomyosin 2 contractile structures, tune
them to fit the cellular process, and deconstruct them. Recent discoveries have clearly shown that
after decades of investigation, myosin 2 is still holding secrets that we must uncover to fully
understand cellular contractility. We anticipate the completion of this work will answer current
questions and yield important new ones.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10029295
- **Project number:** 1R35GM138183-01
- **Recipient organization:** LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Jordan Beach
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $368,430
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10029295

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10029295, Mechanisms of Contractile Network Assembly (1R35GM138183-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10029295. Licensed CC0.

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