Nathan Sniadecki, Ph.D.
Department of Mechanical Engineering (Mechanobiology/BioMEMs)
E-mail: nsniadec@u...


TITLE:

"Mechanotransduction and Cell Mechanics at the Micro- and Nano-Scale"


ABSTRACT:

Physical forces can influence the development, function, and remodeling of tissue through
direct influences on individual cells. Forces can act at the micro- and nanoscale through the
transmission of tissue-level stresses to individual cells. Conversely, cells use molecular
motors like myosin to generate traction forces that affect the tone and structure of tissue.
Forces affect our biology both from the inside and outside, but what are the mechanisms cells
uses to sense and response to these forces? By using micro- and nanofabricated tools and
computational modeling, we can begin to identify how cells respond to mechanical signals that
arise in their environment and how these changes can lead to maladaptive diseases or
predilections to injury.