Force generation and self-organization in mitosis

Life on earth depends on cells’ ability to duplicate. In order to divide successfully, cells must solve fascinating physics problems. A key step in cell division is ensuring that each of the daughter cells inherits a single copy of the genetic material. In eukaryotes, a self-organized machine called the mitotic spindle physically move the chromosomes. The spindle is composed of microtubules, molecular motors, and associated molecules. We are using theory, simulation, and experiment to understand how the mitotic spindle self-assembles and achieves the correct size, and how the spindle organizes and moves chromosomes. This talk will discuss how force is generated by motors, crosslinkers, and chromosomes over time during mitosis to correctly assemble the spindle. Depending on the dynamics of spindle molecules and microtubule-chromosome attachments, overall spindle length can be relatively constant in time, or undergo large fluctuations. I will explain our current understanding of spindle length stabilization.