ABOUT US:
Microtubules and molecular motors

A living cell is a fascinating object which, like a tiny city, has an ability to self-organize its own interior by constantly transporting material between different regions. Transport inside the cell requires forces to move and position various molecular assemblies and organelles, in a response to progression through the cell cycle and signals from the environment. These forces are mostly generated by motor proteins such as myosin, kinesin and dynein. Myosin moves along actin filaments, whereas kinesin and dynein move along microtubules.

To study how microtubules and molecular motors organize the cell interior, we develop theoretical models in parallel with on-going experiments of our collaborators in Zagreb and abroad. In our theory, we employ a basic knowledge of statistical physics and classical mechanics as well as known physical properties of microtubules and molecular motors. Our collaborators experimentally test theoretical predictions to validate proposed models.

Selected publications

L. Gudlin, K. Vukušić, M. Novak, M. Trupinić, M. Ljulj, I. Dunović, A. Petelinec, L. Petrušić, A. Hertel, T. van Ravesteyn, M. Trakala, G.J. P. L. Kops, Z. Storchová, J. Tambača, N. Pavin, I. M. Tolić
Power-law scaling of mitotic spindles with genome sizes across eukaryotes is driven by chromosome crowding
Nat Cell Biol 28, 1996–2007 (2026). [View PDF]
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-026-02005-8

I. Sigmund, D. Božan, I. Šarić, and N. Pavin
Mechanisms of Chromosome Positioning During Mitosis
PRX Life 2, 043017 (2024) [View PDF]
https://doi.org/10.1103/PRXLife.2.043017

N. Pavin and I.M. Tolić
Mechanobiology of the Mitotic Spindle.
Dev Cell 56, 192-201 (2021). [View PDF]

M. Novak, B. Polak, J. Simunić, Z. Boban, B. Kuzmić, A. Thomae, I.M. Tolić, N. Pavin.
The mitotic spindle is chiral due to torques within microtubule bundles.
Nat. Commun. 9, 3571 (2018). [View PDF]
Pre-print of the paper is available online at: bioRxiv, doi:10.1101/167437.

J. Kajtez, A. Solomatina, M. Novak, B. Polak, K. Vukušić, J. Rudiger, G. Cojoc, A. Milas, I Šumanovac Šestak, P. Risteski, F. Tavano, A.H. Klemm, E. Roscioli, J. Welburn, D. Cimini, M. Glunčić, N. Pavin, I.M. Tolić.
Overlap microtubules link sister k-fibers and balance the forces on bioriented kinetochores.
Nat. Commun. 7, 10298 (2016). [View PDF]