In vivo mechanobiology

The mechanics (stress and material properties) of the cellular microenvironment are known to strongly affect cell behavior in vitro, but very little is known about what mechanical parameters cells perceive in living tissues and how these affect cell behavior in their natural environment. We are using our novel microdroplet techniques to address these mechanobiology questions in vivo and in situ. Our goal is to reveal the mechanical cues that cells perceive within developing embryos, during tissue and organ formation, and understand the mechanochemical feedbacks enabling robust embryonic development.