@article{discovery10045875,
         journal = {Nature Materials},
           title = {Cell-geometry-dependent changes in plasma membrane order direct stem cell signalling and fate},
            year = {2018},
       publisher = {NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP},
          number = {3},
           month = {February},
           pages = {237--242},
            note = {This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.},
          volume = {17},
        keywords = {Science \& Technology, Physical Sciences, Technology, Chemistry, Physical, Materials Science, Multidisciplinary, Physics, Applied, Physics, Condensed Matter, Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, LIPID RAFTS, CAVEOLAE, MICROTUBULES, MICRODOMAINS, GROWTH, SWITCH},
          author = {von Erlach, TC and Bertazzo, S and Wozniak, MA and Horejs, C-M and Maynard, SA and Attwood, S and Robinson, BK and Autefage, H and Kallepitis, C and Hernandez, ADR and Chen, CS and Goldoni, S and Stevens, MM},
            issn = {1476-4660},
        abstract = {Cell size and shape affect cellular processes such as cell survival, growth and differentiation1,2,3,4, thus establishing cell geometry as a fundamental regulator of cell physiology. The contributions of the cytoskeleton, specifically actomyosin tension, to these effects have been described, but the exact biophysical mechanisms that translate changes in cell geometry to changes in cell behaviour remain mostly unresolved. Using a variety of innovative materials techniques, we demonstrate that the nanostructure and lipid assembly within the cell plasma membrane are regulated by cell geometry in a ligand-independent manner. These biophysical changes trigger signalling events involving the serine/threonine kinase Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) that direct cell-geometry-dependent mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. Our study defines a central regulatory role by plasma membrane ordered lipid raft microdomains in modulating stem cell differentiation with potential translational applications.},
             url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-017-0014-0}
}