BioRheology

Mechanical properties of the cell are important biomarkers for probing its pathological changes and biological functions. We now have a variety of experimental techniques —such as particle tracking microrheology AFM and high-throughput cell deformations in microfluidic channels— to characterize the mechanical response of the whole cell and cellular components. The key to interpreting the results of these experiments to relate the externally imposed or internal forces/stresses to the observed displacements/deformations. This is a challenging task, since the cell (and cellular materials) is a complex multiphase system (for example the cell nucleus, the cell cortex and the cytoplasm), each with their distinct mechanical response.

In our group we work on developing novel mathematical formulations and modeling strategies to determine the rheological responses of multi-phase cellular systems. We work closely with experimentalists to apply these tools in pratice.