The formation of adhesions is initiated by the binding of integrin transmembrane receptors to the extracellular matrix. Once formed, the small, nascent adhesions can then disassemble or continue to mature by recruiting signaling and structural proteins to these sites. This dynamic nature of adhesions within different regions of cells underlies complex, coordinated processes such as cell migration. Molecular networks function to integrate signals from the outside and within cells to control the number, size, structure, and composition of adhesions. Thus, understanding the basis of the spatiotemporal regulation of adhesion dynamics is emerging as an important issue for cell biologists. We invite authors to submit original research articles as well as reviews, which focus on defining the cellular signals that contribute to the assembly, disassembly, and maturation of adhesions. We are also interested in articles that develop new technologies for studying the composition and dynamics of adhesions as well as signaling within these structures. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Identifying molecular components of signaling networks that regulate adhesion dynamics
• Role of posttranslational modifications, such as phosphorylation, in modulating the assembly, disassembly, and maturation of adhesions
• Recent advances in detecting the molecular composition and posttranslational modifications in adhesions
• Role of mechanosensing and force generation in regulating adhesion dynamics
• Development of technologies for studying adhesion signaling in three- dimensional environments
• The effects of the extracellular matrix on the composition and dynamics of adhesions
• Role of the actin and microtubule networks in controlling adhesion dynamics

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