Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Cell-Cell Adhesion Complexes

Marcos Sotomayor, University of Chicago

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Development and functionality of multicellular organisms relies on precise adhesion between cells. This adhesion is brought about by a diverse set of specialized molecules that facilitate cell-cell contact. The cadherins are a large superfamily of calcium-dependent adhesion molecules whose members coordinate such vital functions as morphogenesis, neural connectivity, mechanotransduction, and signaling. The primary goal of the proposed research is to utilize large-scale all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to explore the response of cadherin-based cellular adhesions to force.