Molecular organization and mechanics of Adherens and Tight junctions as determinants of collective epithelial cell motility

This thesis investigates the role of cell–cell junctions in regulating the mechanical properties of tissues. The first part focuses on studying the molecular interactions between junctional components and the cytoskeleton using advanced biophysical techniques at the single-molecule level. The second part addresses how cell–cell junctions are remodeled and how mechanical forces are transmitted between cells during collective migration. To this end, experimental and imaging protocols based on fluorescence and super-resolution microscopy are developed. These approaches provide a framework to study how the molecular organization and mechanics of junctional complexes change during tissue remodeling.