William Polacheck, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State, and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, UNC School of Medicine – Applied Mathematics Colloquium

Title: Tools for modeling the fluidic cellular microenvironment

Abstract: Mechanical forces modulate biological processes across length scales. Extensive work in animal models has revealed tissue-scale forces are necessary for development, homeostasis, and multi-organ function, while studies at the cellular length scale have identified molecules and protein complexes, such as focal adhesions and adherens junctions, that respond to mechanical force. We develop experimental and computational tools to bridge these findings to understand how tissue-scale forces are experienced at the cellular and molecular level. We integrate these tools with molecular biology techniques to define the mechanisms by which cells convert mechanical forces into biological responses. Here, I will present recent and ongoing work in defining the role of fluid forces in biological processes related to cancer and vascular biology.