Mechanobiology of cells and tissues

Zurich Mechanobiology Seminar Series

The Zurich Mechanobiology Seminars are starting again on October 24th, 2024 for a third season. This year co-organized with Z. Kechagia, M. Nava, and J. Mayner. Come follow exciting talks and meet your colleagues from all ETHZ departments (including Basel based labs) and other local research institutes (UZH, EMPA, PSI ...).Talks are monthly and open to all. Topics range from mechanobiology and biophysics, to biomechanics and biomaterials. For more information and to sign-up to the mailing list, check the website.

First seminar: Thursday October 24th 2024, at 4:30pm

News

New Research Papers

We have a couple of new papers out from the Macromolecular Engineering Lab.

First, a study on the mechanoresponse of fibroblasts to variations in fluid chemical potential imposed by hydrostatic pressure and osmotic stress. Hydrostatic pressure and osmotic pressure can be induced by normal deformation of the dermis (e.g. skin stretching). We show that these induce changes in proliferation potential of fibroblasts, and the responses are conserved but differ in amplitude in 2D and 3D systems. This work was expertly driven by Lorenza Garau Paganella, in collaboration with other groups at ETH, Prof Mazza and Prof Werner. Have a look!

Second topic recently published is on the use of granular hydrogels for the sequestration and release of biomolecules. We call this biomaterial "Bioactive Sponge", because of its capacity to absorb biomolecules (e.g. proteins such as cytokines and growth factors). We show that this granular biomaterial can be used to mitigate pro-inflammatory signaling on one hand, and stimulate pro-angiogenic signaling on another. Team work beautifully driven by Börte Emiroglu & Apoorv Singh among others. Have a look!

Open PhD position

We have an opening for a PhD position on the role of the extracellular matrix is signal transduction. The PhD student will be hosted in the Macromolecular Engineering Lab. The position will be advertised soon on the ETHZ job platform https://jobs.ethz.ch/site/index.

Update: this position is now filled.

New Methods paper

We published a Methods paper on how to optimize protein isolation from 3D hydrogels. Have a look:
Da Silva André, Garau Paganella et al., Current Protocols, 4, e966. doi: 10.1002/cpz1.966 (2024)

New Review out

We wrote a review on Cellular Mechanical Memory, covering the seminal papers and recent findings on the topic. Mechanical memory is about how long term mechanical stresses (such as prolonged culture on supraphysiological stiffness) can lead to a loss in cell plasticity. If you are curious, read more about it here: Dudaryeva et al., ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, 9, 11, 5985–5998. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01007 (2023)