Microtubules are rigid polymers that contribute to the static mechanical properties of cells. Because microtubules are dynamic structures whose polymerization is regulated during changes in cell shape, we have asked whether the mechanical properties of microtubules might also be modulated. We measured the flexural rigidity, or bending stiffness, of individual microtubules under a number of diff...

Dendrites are short stout tapering processes that are rich in ribosomes and Golgi elements, whereas axons are long thin processes of uniform diameter that are deficient in these organelles. It has been hypothesized that the unique morphological and compositional features of axons and dendrites result from their distinct patterns of microtubule polarity orientation. The microtubules within axons...

The principles by which cortical microtubules self-organize into a global template hold important implications for cell wall patterning. Microtubules move along bundles of microtubules, and neighboring bundles tend to form mobile domains that flow in a common direction. The bundles themselves move slowly and for longer than the individual microtubules, with domains describing slow rotary patter...

Cellulose synthase (CESA) complexes can be observed by live-cell imaging to move with trajectories that parallel the underlying cortical microtubules. Here we report that CESA interactive protein 1 (CSI1) is a microtubule-associated protein that bridges CESA complexes and cortical microtubules. Simultaneous in vivo imaging of CSI1, CESA complexes, and microtubules demonstrates that the associat...