Mechanobiology of epithelial homeostasis and cancer
Epithelial biology, Mechanical forces, Mechanobiology
Research aim
Our aim is to elucidate how cells respond to mechanical forces to control healthy epithelial homeostasis, and to understand how alterations in force-dependent communication contribute to tumor development.
About us
Cells are subjected to a variety of mechanical forces, originating from both intercellular interactions and the surrounding tissue environment. These forces can be sensed by cells to instruct cellular behavior, relying on specialized mechanosensor proteins that convert mechanical stimuli into intracellular signals. Hereby, forces may provide information about the status of the tissue to regulate healthy epithelial homeostasis, by controlling fundamental processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation. During the development of epithelial tumors, forces experienced by cells are continuously evolving, and transduction of these forces can drive tumor aggression. Our research aims to elucidate how cells integrate mechanical information from their environment to control healthy homeostasis and how changes in this force-dependent communication contribute to tumor progression. To achieve this, we utilize innovative bioengineering and cell biology approaches to modulate and visualize forces, and to unravel downstream signaling events. We apply the gained molecular knowledge to different model systems, including organoids, to uncover how forces orchestrate the cellular processes underlying epithelial homeostasis and tumorigenesis. With our fundamental research, we strive to gain mechanistic insights into cellular communication governing healthy tissue homeostasis and tumor progression, with the ultimate goal to identify targets for novel anti-cancer therapies.