Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Cellular Mechanobiology Laboratory

Discover Our Focus

The Cellular Mechanobiology Lab (CML) focuses on the role played by mechanical forces and physical constraints in cell function. Main areas of interest include cell-cell and cell-extra-cellular matrix (cell-ECM) adhesion, cell-generated forces and cell responses to external forces. Our research informs diverse areas from tissue engineering to pathophysiology.

Our research interests are:

Cell-cell adhesion
Cadherin mechanobiology
Traction force microscopy
Cell-ECM adhesion
Actin-adhesion interplay
Multi-scale mechanobiology

Explore Our Research

Research featured on the cover of the Biophysical Journal (Aug 2014).

Selected Publications

Dumbali, S. P., Mei, L., Qian S. and Maruthamuthu, V. (2017) Endogenous Sheet-averaged Tension within a Large Epithelial Cell Colony. J. Biomech. Eng. 139: 101008-1-5.
Maruthamuthu, V. and Gardel, M. L. (2014) Protrusive Activity Modulates Changes in Cell- Cell Tension During Epithelial Cell Scattering. Biophys J. 107: 555-563.
Maruthamuthu, V., Sabass, B., Schwarz, U.S. and Gardel, M.L. (2011). Cell-ECM Traction Force Modulates Endogenous Tension at Cell-Cell Contacts. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 108: 4708-4713.
Borghi, N., Lowndes, M., Maruthamuthu, V., Gardel, M.L., and Nelson, W.J. (2010). Regulation of Cell Motile Behavior by Crosstalk between Cadherin- and Integrin-mediated Adhesions. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 107: 13324-13329.
Maruthamuthu, V., Schulten, K., and Leckband, D.E. (2009) Elasticity and Rupture of a Multi-domain Cell Adhesion Complex. Biophys J. 96: 3005-3014.
Prakasam, A.K., Maruthamuthu, V., and Leckband, D.E. (2006) Similarities between Heterophilic and Homophilic Cadherin Adhesion. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 103: 15434-15439.