Research

Our research aims to determine how the interplay of chemical and mechanical signals acts to control cell behavior and function and the progression of disease. We employ a multidisciplinary approach that combines experiments from molecular and cell biology, engineering, and material science. A wide range of techniques including two- and three-dimensional cell and tissue culture platforms, micro- and nano-fabrication, and advanced microscopy are used in our efforts. Specific interests include the role of biophysical signals in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor cell extravasation during cancer metastasis.

Learn more: Sacco, et al, J Cell Sci, 2024; Sankhe, et al, Advanced Biology, 2024; Sacco, et al, J Cell Physiol, 2024; Sacco & Gomez, Cancers, 2024; Nalluri, et al, J Cell Physiol, 2022; O'Connor, et al, Sci Reports, 2016; O'Connor, et al, J Cell Physiol, 2015; O'Connor & Gomez, PLoS One, 2013. 

Our group uses X-ray scattering to characterize biological assemblies, including plant cell walls and proteins in solution. We have demonstrated that soft X-ray scattering can reveal the size and shape of proteins in solution and that soft X-rays offer advantages over traditional hard X-ray scattering experiments including providing structural information with chemical specificity, enhancement of contrast between components, and mitigation of radiation damage. We have also shown that soft and tender X-ray scattering can reveal the structure of cellulose within complex biopolymer assemblies in plant cell walls. By taking advantage of the preferential binding of calcium ions to the pectin matrix surrounding cellulose, scattering contrast can be enhanced between these two components. Furthermore, we have employed grazing incidence wide angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) to show that cellulose crystallites exhibit a preferred orientational order in plant primary cell walls. 

Learn more: Yu, et al, Small, 2024; Rongpipi, et al, Cellulose, 2024; Siemianowski, et al, JACS Au, 2024; Rongpipi, et al, Frontiers in Plant Science, 2023; Del Mundo, et al, Sci Reports, 2023; Ye, et al, Nature Communications, 2020; Ye, et al, Sci Reports, 2018; Ye, et al, Structure, 2018.