Welcome to the Cellular Mechanobiology Lab
Our laboratory seeks to understand how cells respond to biomechanical cues present in the extracellular matrix (ECM).
The ability of living cells to sense and respond to complex tissue environments fundamentally regulates key physiological and pathological processes, including embryogenesis, regeneration, and tumor invasion. To better understand cell-matrix interactions in heterogeneous micro-environments, we adopt a multidisciplinary approach combining methods and concepts from biomaterials, microfabrication, molecular and cell biology, microscopy, applied mechanics, and computational modeling.
Updates
- Publication in Biophysical Journal on modeling mechanical memory in cells.
- Publication in the Journal of Cell Science on collective cell streaming due to varying collagen fiber length and matrix stiffness.
- Publication in Biophysical Journal on cell re-polarization in collective cell migration. (WashU story)
- NIH/NIGMS R35 MIRA grant for research in epithelial cell mechanobiology. We have doctoral and postdoctoral positions open.
- Publication in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering on a new micropatterning technique and weakening of junctions in cell pairs.
- Publication in Integrative Biology on cell response to basement membrane defects (WashU story).
- NIH/NIBIB Trailblazer grant, in collaboration with Dr. Klechevsky.
- Publication in Biomaterials on mechanical memory in cell migration (WashU story).