Model-based trajectory classification of anchored molecular motor-biopolymer interactions.

During zygotic mitosis in many species, forces generated at the cell cortex are required for the separation and migration of paternally provided centrosomes, pronuclear migration, segregation of genetic material, and cell division. Furthermore, in some species, force-generating interactions between spindle microtubules and the cortex position the mitotic spindle asymmetrically within the zygote, an essential step in asymmetric cell division. Understanding the mechanical and molecular mechanisms of microtubule-dependent force generation and therefore asymmetric cell division requires identification of individual cortical force-generating units .