# Biomechanics of tissue motility

> **NIH NIH R01** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2022 · $545,736

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
During nervous system development, cells and tissues often move to assemble into
layers and clusters. To do this, the cells need to generate force and transmit force to
their surroundings to push themselves forward. In vitro studies have identified a three-
step mechanism for how cells move on a substrate: cells protrude in the direction of
migration, adhere to the substrate and detach in the back. Whether cells in vivo use the
same mechanism to move is unclear because experimental limitations have hindered
similar studies. This project will address this challenge and combine a novel protein
depletion approach that offers spatial and temporal control with high resolution imaging
to ask how a tissue pushes itself forward in a living animal. For these studies, we will use
the zebrafish posterior lateral line primordium migration as a vertebrate model system
because of its amenability to powerful genetic perturbations and imaging. To reveal the
molecular basis of force generation and transmission in the migrating primordium, we
will determine how RhoA pulses are generated, how RhoA-induced cell contractions pull
cells forward, whether focal adhesions transmit the force generated through cell
contractions to the surroundings and how the surroundings respond to the friction force.
Since RhoA signaling and focal adhesion components are conserved in humans, the
proposed studies will provide necessary context to better model and understand
developmental nervous system defects and inform strategies to correct these defects.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10430282
- **Project number:** 5R01NS119449-02
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Holger Knaut
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $545,736
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10430282

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10430282, Biomechanics of tissue motility (5R01NS119449-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10430282. Licensed CC0.

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