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X-WR-CALNAME:Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore
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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore
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DTSTART:20150101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20160801T040000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20160801T170000
DTSTAMP:20260429T043226
CREATED:20160713T211554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160713T211554Z
UID:13745-1470024000-1470070800@www.mbi.nus.edu.sg
SUMMARY:MBI Seminar: Adherens Junctions\, Force-sensing and Epithelial Homeostasis by Prof Alpha Yap
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.mbi.nus.edu.sg/event/mbi-seminar-adherens-junctions-force-sensing-and-epithelial-homeostasis-by-prof-alpha-yap/
LOCATION:MBI Seminar Room Lvl 5\, T-Lab\, Level 5\, 5A Engineering Drive 1\, Mechanobiology Institute\, National University of Singapore\, 117411\, Singapore
CATEGORIES:MBI Seminar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20160812T093000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20160812T100000
DTSTAMP:20260429T043226
CREATED:20160809T172731Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160809T173628Z
UID:14135-1470994200-1470996000@www.mbi.nus.edu.sg
SUMMARY:NSF-Columbia Seminar: Intracellular Calcium Signaling In Osteocytes: A Mechano-Transduction-Mechano Paradigm
DESCRIPTION:You are cordially invited to the following seminars presented by the delegates from NSF-Columbia University on 12 August\, Friday from 9.30am. Venue: Level 5\, seminar rooms. \nSeminar 1        9.30am to 10.00am\nPresenter          Prof Edward Goh\nTalk Title           “Intracellular Calcium Signaling In Osteocytes: A Mechano-Transduction-Mechano Paradigm” \n  \nIntracellular Calcium Signaling In Osteocytes: A Mechano-Transduction-Mechano Paradigm\nX. Edward Guo\, Vice Chair and Professor of Biomedical Engineering Bone Bioengineering Laboratory\nDepartment of Biomedical Engineering\nColumbia University\, New York \nOsteocytes in vivo are embedded in the mineralized extracellular bone matrix\, where their cell bodies reside in the lacunae and are interconnected to neighboring osteocytes through numerous intercellular processes. The 3-dimensional (3D) osteocyte network positioning and ability to communicate with other bone cells make osteocytes ideal mechanosensors of bone. Thus the role of osteocyte network and intercellular communication between osteocytes in response to mechanical stimulation may clarify the mechanisms behind normal bone adaptation to mechanical loading. We have been using intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) as a ubiquitous real-time signaling indicator for studying mechanotransduction in osteocytic network and individual osteocytes. Our group recently discovered that 2D osteocytic networks are much more sensitive than osteoblasts in terms of [Ca2+]i responses\, especially under low magnitude fluid flow stimulation. In addition\, we used a novel mouse tibia loading model for the real-time measurement of [Ca2+]i signaling in osteocytes in situ when the intact long bone was under dynamic loading. The resultant fluid-induced shear stress on the osteocytes in the lacuna canalicular system was also calculated from fluorescence recovery after photobleach (FRAP) technique. We confirmed that in situ osteocytes\, but not bone surface cells\, displayed repetitive [Ca2+]i spikes in response to dynamic mechanical loading\, with spike frequency and magnitude dependent on the loading magnitude\, bone tissue strain\, fluid flow speed\, and calculated fluid shear stress in the lacunar-canalicular system. However\, positing a biological reason for this robust [Ca2+]i behavior in osteocytes has been difficult. Using a novel quasi-3D microscopy technique\, we were able to simultaneously measure both [Ca2+]i and actin network deformation. We demonstrate phasic contractility in the cell body of MLO-Y4 osteocytes synchronized with [Ca2+]i spikes\, possibly mediated through smooth muscle myosin. Similar to myocytes\, a tight coupling between [Ca2+]i oscillations and reversible actomyosin contractions is observed. The implications of having smooth muscle myosin ATPase in osteocytes ushered a new mechano-transduction-mechano paradigm in mechanobiology of bone cells. \nBiography\nDr. Guo received his M.S. in 1990 and Ph.D. in 1994 in Medical Engineering and Medical Physics from Harvard University-MIT. In 1994-1996\, Professor Guo did his postdoctoral fellowship in the Orthopaedic Research Laboratories at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor with Professor Steven A. Goldstein in orthopaedic bioengineering. In 1996 he joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering and then Department of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University as an Assistant Professor. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2001 and Associate Professor with tenure in 2003\, and Professor in 2007. He directs the Bone Bioengineering Laboratory in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia focusing his research interests in micromechanics of bone tissue\, computational biomechanics\, and mechanobiology of bone. His past honors include Young Investigator Recognition Award from the Orthopaedic Research Society\, National Research Service Award from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH)\, a CAREER award from the US National Foundation of Science (NSF)\, Funds for Talented Professionals (Joint Research Fund for Overseas Chinese Young Scholars) from the National Natural Science Foundation of China. He was elected as a fellow to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. He was one of the founders and served as co-Editor-in-Chief of Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering (CMBE)\, an international journal of US Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES). He has served many review panels for NIH\, NSF\, and NASA. His research has been supported by the Whitaker Foundation\, the US NSF\, and the NIH. He served as President of International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society\, the Society for Physical Regulation in Biology and Medicine\, Member of Board of Directors of Orthopaedic Research Society\, and Member of Board of Directors of American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. He also founded the Special Interest Group (SIG) in CMBE in the BMES and served as its founding Chair.
URL:https://www.mbi.nus.edu.sg/event/nsf-columbia-seminars-intracellular-calcium-signaling-in-osteocytes-a-mechano-transduction-mechano-paradigm/
LOCATION:MBI Seminar Room Lvl 5\, T-Lab\, Level 5\, 5A Engineering Drive 1\, Mechanobiology Institute\, National University of Singapore\, 117411\, Singapore
CATEGORIES:MBI Seminar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20160812T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20160812T223000
DTSTAMP:20260429T043226
CREATED:20160809T172949Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160809T172949Z
UID:14136-1470996000-1471041000@www.mbi.nus.edu.sg
SUMMARY:NSF-Columbia Seminar: Primary Cilia Biomechanics Regulates Mechanosensing and Bone Regeneration
DESCRIPTION:You are cordially invited to the following seminars presented by the delegates from NSF-Columbia University on 12 August\, Friday from 9.30am. Venue: Level 5\, seminar rooms. \nSeminar 2 10.00am to 10.30am\nPresenter Prof Christopher Jacobs\nTalk Title “Primary Cilia Biomechanics Regulates Mechanosensing and Bone Regeneration” \nPrimary Cilia Biomechanics Regulates Mechanosensing and Bone Regeneration\nChristopher R. Jacobs\, Professor of Biomedical Engineering Department of Biomedical Engineering\nColumbia University\, New York \nCellular mechanosensation is critical in diseases responsible for enormous human suffering including atherosclerosis\, osteoarthritis\, cancer\, and osteoporosis. Nonetheless\, very little is understood about the molecular mechanisms of mechanotransduction outside of a small number of specialized sensory cells. Primary cilia are solitary linear cellular extensions that extend from the surface of virtually all cells. For decades\, the biologic function of these enigmatic structures was elusive\, however\, recent evidence suggests an emerging picture in which the primary cilium functions as a complex nexus where both physical and chemical extracellular signals are sensed and responses coordinated. \nIn our laboratory we have shown that primary cilia act as mechanical sensors in bone and that conditional deletion of primary cilia lead to mechanosensing defects. Recently\, we developed a novel combined experimental/modeling approach to determine the mechanical properties of primary cilia. We found a wide variety of previously unreported deformation modes. Interestingly\, both the cilium itself and its anchorage to the microtubule cytoskeleton alter their structure in response to physical loading\, suggesting structural adaptation or “remodeling”. We have also developed novel molecular biology tools to elucidate the details of mechanically activated ciliary signaling pathways. For example\, we have created a cilia-directed biosensor that has allowed us to distinguish intraciliary from intracellular calcium signaling. We have also developed a method for distinguishing the roles of the cytoplasmic and ciliary pools of proteins that are found in both compartments. In summary\, primary cilia are non-linear\, richly varied\, mechanical structures (biomechanics) as well as structurally adaptive (mechanobiology). Simultaneously they are a biochemical microdomain where signaling events are catalyzed\, enhanced\, and integrated. \nBiography\nDr. Christopher Jacobs received in PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 1994 from Stanford University and served as a faculty member there until 2008 when he joined the Biomedical Engineering Department at Columbia University. The goal of his lab is to investigate cellular mechanosensing\, particularly in the skeleton\, with tightly coupled integration of advanced theoretical mechanics and modern molecular biology. He has made discoveries in terms of the mechanical signals that bone cells sense and respond to and how these responses are communicated and integrated between cells. This has directly brought them to their current research question\, understanding novel mechanisms for how these signals are transduced at a cellular level. Most recently his lab has identified primary cilia\, enigmatic structures found in virtually all cell types\, as a mechanosensor both in vitro and in vivo. They are currently investigating the mechanisms of intracellular signaling initiated by primary cilia with novel molecular biology strategies and relating those events to primary cilia biomechanical behavior and properties. To date he has been awarded over $7.5 million from federal and state agencies including for individual investigator projects\, as well as $9.5 million in center grants. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers\, 2 books\, and 9 book chapters. He is the senior author of the innovative textbook “Introduction to Cell Mechanics and Mechanobiology”\, which has been adopted in 35 courses with an enrollment of over 850 students worldwide since it publication in 2013. He has received research awards from the European and American Societies of Biomechanics\, and was the winner of the Skalak Award for the best paper published in 2015 in the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. He was the 2014 recipient of the Van C. Mow medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. \n 
URL:https://www.mbi.nus.edu.sg/event/nsf-columbia-seminar-primary-cilia-biomechanics-regulates-mechanosensing-and-bone-regeneration/
LOCATION:MBI Seminar Room Lvl 5\, T-Lab\, Level 5\, 5A Engineering Drive 1\, Mechanobiology Institute\, National University of Singapore\, 117411\, Singapore
CATEGORIES:MBI Seminar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20160812T103000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20160812T110000
DTSTAMP:20260429T043226
CREATED:20160809T173209Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160809T173209Z
UID:14137-1470997800-1470999600@www.mbi.nus.edu.sg
SUMMARY:NSF-Columbia Seminar: Engineering Immunity Through Cellular Biomechanics
DESCRIPTION:You are cordially invited to the following seminars presented by the delegates from NSF-Columbia University on 12 August\, Friday from 9.30am. Venue: Level 5\, seminar rooms. \nSeminar 3 10.30am to 11.00am\nPresenter Prof Lance Kam\nTalk Title “Engineering Immunity Through Cellular Biomechanics” \nEngineering Immunity Through Cellular Biomechanics\nLance C. Kam\, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering Microscale Biocomplexity Laboratory\nDepartment of Biomedical Engineering\nColumbia University\, New York \nThe adaptive immune system plays a central role in defense against pathogens but also a range of diseases. More recently\, this arm of immunity has shown great promise in the treatment of a range of diseases. We have been developing the concept that mechanical forces are involved in activation of T cells\, a key regulatory step of the adaptive immune response. In particular\, we show that CD4+ T cells are sensitive to the mechanical properties of an activating surface presenting ligands to TCR / CD3 and CD28. Force generation and mechanosensing appear to be modulated through TCR / CD3\, with the costimulatory CD28 signal providing a necessary signal for functional activation. Using patterned surfaces and traction force microscopy\, we are mapping force generation by T cell and building a picture of mechanosensing in this new context. These studies have the potential to improve adoptive immunotherapy by providing a new level of control over the expansion and production of therapeutic T cells. \nBiography\nDr. Kam earned dual B.S. degrees in Physics and Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis\, his M.S. in Medical Engineering from the University of Hawaii\, and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. During his postdoc at Stanford University\, he developed microscopy and micropatterning tools to understand the biophysics of how cells recognize and respond to biomolecular cues. He joined the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University as an Assistant Professor\, and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2012. He directs the Microscale Biocomplexity Laboratory\, which continues to develop new ways of understanding cells as intricate machines\, focusing on the spatial complexity of intracellular signaling and mechanobiology. His laboratory has been leading the push of these fields into the area of T cell biology. His research has been supported by the US NSF and NIH\, as well as the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation.
URL:https://www.mbi.nus.edu.sg/event/nsf-columbia-seminar-engineering-immunity-through-cellular-biomechanics/
LOCATION:MBI Seminar Room Lvl 5\, T-Lab\, Level 5\, 5A Engineering Drive 1\, Mechanobiology Institute\, National University of Singapore\, 117411\, Singapore
CATEGORIES:MBI Seminar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20160812T110000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20160812T233000
DTSTAMP:20260429T043226
CREATED:20160809T173431Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160809T173431Z
UID:14138-1470999600-1471044600@www.mbi.nus.edu.sg
SUMMARY:NSF-Columbia Seminar: Biomaterial Design for Stem Cell Induction
DESCRIPTION:You are cordially invited to the following seminars presented by the delegates from NSF-Columbia University on 12 August\, Friday from 9.30am. Venue: Level 5\, seminar rooms. \n  \nSeminar 4 11.00am to 11.30am\nPresenter Dr Helen Lu\nTalk Title “Biomaterial Design for Stem Cell Induction” \n\n\n\nBiomaterial Design for Stem Cell Induction\nHelen H. Lu\, Ph.D.\nDepartment of Biomedical Engineering\, Columbia University\, NY NY 10027 \nMusculoskeletal joint motion is facilitated by synchronized interactions between multiple tissue types and the seamless integration of bone with soft tissues such as ligaments\, tendons or cartilage. In the context of connective tissue (bone\, ligaments\, tendon) repair and regeneration\, extracellular matrix composition and architecture\, as well as mechanical loading\, are well established parameters for guiding neo-tissue formation. A pressing challenge in orthopaedic tissue engineering is how to harness the repair potential of mesenchymal stem cells with relevant scaffold and mechanical cues\, without the need for additional growth factors. To this end\, using nanofiber-based scaffolds as model ECM cultured in a dynamic bioreactor\, we investigated whether physiological loading and/or biomimetic nanofiber alignment are sufficient to direct mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation into ligament fibroblasts\, without any concurrent stimulation with growth factor or inductive media. In addition\, we explored the effects of ceramic reactivity and composition on osteoinduction of stem cells. These studies demonstrate the promise of biomimetic material design for stem cell induction\, and the potential for clinical translation of these devices for musculoskeletal regeneration. \nBiography\nDr. Helen H. Lu received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania\, and is currently the Professor of Biomedical Engineering and the Director of the Biomaterials and Interface Tissue Engineering Laboratory at Columbia. Prof. Lu’s research focuses on Orthopaedic Interface Tissue Engineering and the formation of composite tissue systems\, with the goal of achieving integrative and functional repair of soft tissue injuries. Additionally\, her research group is active in the design of novel biomaterials for orthopaedic and dental applications. Her research has been recognized with many awards\, including the Early Faculty Career Awards in Translational Research from the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation and the Young Investigator Award from the Society for Biomaterials. Prof. Lu was honored with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) at the White House in 2010\, and was elected as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) in 2011. Her group has published over 80 original research articles\, invited reviews and book chapters in biomaterials and tissue engineering\, and she is the inventor and co-inventor of more than a dozen patents and patent applications. Prof. Lu has given over 130 invited lectures at national and international conferences and institutions. She serves on the editorial board of leading journals in the field\, including IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering (Associate Editor)\, Tissue Engineering\, Regenerative Engineering\, Regenerative Biomaterials\, Journal of Biomedical Material Research A\, and Journal of Orthopaedic Research.
URL:https://www.mbi.nus.edu.sg/event/nsf-columbia-seminar-biomaterial-design-for-stem-cell-induction/
LOCATION:MBI Seminar Room Lvl 5\, T-Lab\, Level 5\, 5A Engineering Drive 1\, Mechanobiology Institute\, National University of Singapore\, 117411\, Singapore
CATEGORIES:MBI Seminar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20160823T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20160823T170000
DTSTAMP:20260429T043226
CREATED:20160821T191303Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160821T191303Z
UID:14150-1471964400-1471971600@www.mbi.nus.edu.sg
SUMMARY:A New Paradigm for Spinal Cord Regeneration and Repair
DESCRIPTION:Abstract – Dr Jianwu Dai
URL:https://www.mbi.nus.edu.sg/event/a-new-paradigm-for-spinal-cord-regeneration-and-repair/
LOCATION:MBI Seminar Room Lvl 5\, T-Lab\, Level 5\, 5A Engineering Drive 1\, Mechanobiology Institute\, National University of Singapore\, 117411\, Singapore
CATEGORIES:MBI Seminar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20160826T093000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20160826T103000
DTSTAMP:20260429T043226
CREATED:20160822T235138Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160822T235138Z
UID:14162-1472203800-1472207400@www.mbi.nus.edu.sg
SUMMARY:MBI Seminar: Studying Signal Transduction in the Drosophila Embryo
DESCRIPTION:Please be informed of MBI Weekly Meeting Seminar this Friday as follows: \nDate                 26 August 2016\, Friday\nTime                 9:30am\nVenue               T-Lab Level 5 Seminar Room \nPresenter          Nicholas Tolwinski\nTalk Title           “Studying Signal Transduction in the Drosophila Embryo”
URL:https://www.mbi.nus.edu.sg/event/mbi-seminar-studying-signal-transduction-in-the-drosophila-embryo/
LOCATION:MBI Seminar Room Lvl 5\, T-Lab\, Level 5\, 5A Engineering Drive 1\, Mechanobiology Institute\, National University of Singapore\, 117411\, Singapore
CATEGORIES:MBI Seminar
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR