Fluorescent Microscope
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
Directed by: Venkat Maruthamuthu
Lab location: Engineering Science Building 2120
The paper on vinculin’s role in inter-cellular force transmission has been highlighted by the Biophysical Society.
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Mezher, M., Dumbali, S., Fenn, I., Lamb, C., Miller, C., Sharmin, S., Cabe, J. I., Bejar-Padilla, V., Conway, D., and Maruthamuthu, V. (2023) Vinculin is Essential For Sustaining Normal Levels of Endogenous Forces at Cell-Cell Contacts. Biophys J. 122, 4518-4527.
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Eftekharjoo, M.*, Mezher, M.*, Siddharth, C., and Maruthamuthu, V. (2022) Epithelial Cell-like Elasticity Modulates Actin-Dependent E-cadherin Adhesion Organization. ACS Biomater. Sci. Eng. 8, 2455-62.
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Bashirzadeh, Y., Dumbali, S., Qian S. and Maruthamuthu, V. (2019) Mechanical response of an epithelial island subject to uniaxial stretch on a hybrid silicone substrate. Cell. Mol. Bioeng. 12, 33-40.
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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.
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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.
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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
- Motorized inverted fluorescence microscope
- Biosafety cabinet
- Cell culture incubator
- Liquid nitrogen cryopreservation system
- UVO cleaner
- DMD Pattern Illuminator
- Cell/hydrogel nanoindentor