The molecular origins of chiral growth in walled cells

► Rod-shaped cells provide a model system for studying cell-shape maintenance in walled cells. ► Spatial control of cell-wall synthesis is critical for cell-shape maintenance. ► Protein filaments often have intrinsic chirality. ► Cell curvature can mediate the localization and orientation of protein filaments. ► Wall insertion in a chiral pattern produces rod-shaped cells that twist during growth.