Research @ MBI

Understanding the molecular basis for mechanotransduction

In cells and tissues, the integration and propagation of mechanical signals is facilitated by the activity of molecular machines; small groups of proteins that detect and respond to mechanical stimuli by transferring physical forces to other cellular components, or facilitating their conversion to biochemical signals.

The information obtained during this process, which is known as mechanosensing, helps in cellular decision making.This is particularly important during development, when stem cells are differentiating to become specific cell types, and during wound healing or tissue repair.

At MBI, we are exploring mechano-transduction though four major research programs: molecular, cellular, tissue, and through technological innovations.

Cells can measure the stiffness of the surface on which they are growing and they can detect and respond to tension from neighboring cells within a tissue. Understanding how individual cells and proteins contribute to the mechanotransduction of physical force, is a major focus in the research conducted at the MBI. Dissecting the nanoscale architecture of various molecular machines involves the manipulation of specific cellular components, and at times, single proteins or specific protein domains. We can then monitor any subsequent effects.

Crucial to these efforts is the ability to control and modify the physical parameters of the cellular microenvironment. This means growing cells on substrates of a specific stiffness, pattern or shape. The effect of any molecular manipulation must then be monitored by quantifying the forces generated by cells or individual proteins, or visualizing the effects using super-resolution microscopy techniques.

Molecular Mechanisms of Mechanobiology

At MBI, we investigate how groups of proteins come together to form modular functional units that are capable of mediating diverse cellular functions by sensing and relaying mechanical signals between various components of the cell. More

Cell-Matrix / Cell-Cell Mechanotransduction

MBI is working to understand how a cell’s behavior within a tissue is guided by its communication with neighboring cells and the extracellular matrix through the formation of protein-based adhesion complexes. More

Mechanotransduction in Tissue Development

At the MBI, we apply biophysical principles to study the highly-coordinated orchestration of cellular events in a tissue, and understand its relevance during the development of an embryo as well as during tissue repair in adult organisms. More

Technology Innovation for Mechanobiology

The state-of-the-art technology at MBI has expanded our understanding of cell mechanics, enabling us to manipulate the physical properties of the cellular microenvironment as well as to precisely quantify cellular response to mechanical signals. More