The collaborative study involved researchers from MIT and several international institutions, including Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and Saarland University.

Senior author Nikta Fakhri emphasized that this research uncovers fundamental principles of how living systems self-organize and evolve their shapes.

Focusing on starfish cells, which are ideal for studying cell behavior and development due to their unique symmetry transformations, the research provides valuable insights.

Fakhri's team has previously explored the dynamics of cellular growth and symmetry using starfish as a model organism, examining how cells organize during development.

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking method using optogenetics to activate the GEF enzyme in response to light, enabling precise control over cellular movements.

The research shows that increasing GEF concentration resulted in heightened contractions, prompting further exploration of controlling cell movements through this molecular circuit.

The findings, set to be published in Nature Physics, offer a new tool for manipulating cell shapes, with promising applications in synthetic biology and medicine.

The theoretical framework developed from their observations may guide future applications in synthetic biology, including the creation of programmable cells for biomedical uses.

Previous studies indicated that varying GEF concentrations could control cell contractions, leading researchers to investigate optogenetics for more precise manipulation.

This innovative approach demonstrates that even a small light stimulus can elicit a significant mechanical response in cells, shedding light on cellular remodeling processes essential for development and healing.

The study reveals a complex 'circuitry' within starfish egg cells that governs their mechanics through the activation of the Rho protein by the GEF enzyme.

Supported by the Sloan Foundation and the National Science Foundation, this research highlights its importance in the field of synthetic biology.