The orientation of the cell division axis is critical for normal growth and development as it determines the fate of future daughter cells; and the extracellular matrix to which cells adhere to plays a role in determining the orientation of the division axis. Here Bornens and colleagues present a combination of experimental and quantitative theory to show that spindle orientation is controlled by cortical force generators; a simple model based on pulling forces exerted by force generators on spindle microtubules can quantitatively describe spindle orientations in many different geometries.
- Manuel Théry
- Andrea Jiménez-Dalmaroni
- Frank Jülicher
