Mitotic spindle: lessons from theoretical modeling

Scientific paper - Review paper

• Author: Iva M. Tolić
• Author: Nenad Pavin
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Science; (Department of Physics)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Physics

Abstract (english)

Cell biology is immensely complex. To understand how cells work, we try to find patterns and suggest hypotheses to identify underlying mechanisms. However, it is not always easy to create a coherent picture from a huge amount of experimental data on biological systems, where the main players have multiple interactions or act in redundant pathways. In such situations, when a hypothesis does not lead to a conclusion in a direct way, theoretical modeling is a powerful tool because it allows us to formulate hypotheses in a quantitative manner and understand their consequences. A successful model should not only reproduce the basic features of the system but also provide exciting predictions, motivating new experiments. Much is learned when a model based on generally accepted knowledge cannot explain experiments of interest, as this indicates that the original hypothesis needs to be revised. In this Perspective, we discuss these points using our experiences in combining experiments with theory in the field of mitotic spindle mechanics.

• Keywords (english): mitotic spindle , microtubules; kinetochores; kinetochore fibers; bridging fibers; kinesins; forces; laser ablation; microneedle; theory; modeling
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Review paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review - international
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Molecular Biology of the Cell
• Numbering: vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 218-222
• p-ISSN: 1059-1524
• e-ISSN: 1939-4586
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E20-05-0335
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:217:224215
• Publication: 2021-02-01
• Project: Number: PZS-2019-02-7653; Title (croatian): Mehanizmi nastajanja snopova mikrotubula potrebni za sazrijevanje diobenog vretena; Title (english): Mechanisms of microtubule bundle formation required for spindle maturation; Acronym: SpindleForm; Leader: Iva Marija Tolić; Jurisdiction: Croatia; Funding stream: Programme Research Cooperability
• Project: Number: IP-2019-04-5967; Title (croatian): Ravnoteža sila i momenta sila u diobenom vretenu; Title (english): Balance of forces and torques in the mitotic spindle; Acronym: SpindleForceBalance; Leader: Nenad Pavin; Jurisdiction: Croatia; Funding stream: Research Projects
• Project: Number: KK.01.1.1.01.0004; Title (croatian): Provedba vrhunskih istraživanja u sklopu Znanstvenog centra izvrsnosti za kvantne i kompleksne sustave te reprezentacije Liejevih algebri; Title (english): Implementation of top research within the Scientific Center of Excellence for Quantum and Complex Systems, and Representations of Lie Algebras; Acronym: QuantiXLie; Leader: Hrvoje Buljan; Jurisdiction: eu; Funding stream: European Regional Development Fund
• Document URL: https://www.molbiolcell.org/doi/10.1091/mbc.E20-05-0335
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Public note: © 2021 Tolić and Pavin. This article is distributed by The American Society for Cell Biology under license from the author(s). Two months after publication it is avail able to the public under an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0). Received: Oct 13, 2020. Revised: Nov 23, 2020. Accepted: Nov 24, 2020.
• Created on: 2024-09-25 21:06:25