We are focusing our research in mechanobiology and mechanotechnology on two key themes.
Underpinning these themes are clinically driven aims of tackling major global diseases, including:
- musculoskeletal disease
- heart disease
- colorectal disease
- liver disease
- placental disease
Research themes
Fundamental biology
Fundamental understanding of the interactions between mechanical forces and biology and translation based on such understanding.
Our research focuses on:
- Structural biology of force sensing
- Protein complexes and signalling pathways of force sensing
- Force sensing in tissue mineralization and stiffness
- Physical exercise
Technology
Development and application of mechanotechnologies and biomechanical engineering to medical problems.
Our research focuses on:
- Force in engineered tissue scaffolds
- Measurement of cell stiffness, flow responses and surface effects
- Self-assembled peptides and stiffness in tissue mineralization
- Modulation of mechanobiology (eg small-molecules and ultrasound)
- Tissue structure artificial intelligence