Effect of Microscopic Cellular Properties on Macroscopic Mechanical Behaviour

Many tissues, such as skin and muscles, repeatedly undergo large deformation as part of their physiology. Even though it is possible to alter the expression of different genes in a cell, there is very little information on how molecular activity affects the mechanical properties of tissues at large scales. Relevant factors include the mechanical properties of individual cells, how cells interact with each other and the extracellular matrix to form tissues. The project proposed will include experimentation, theoretical modelling and analysis to investigate the cellular, sub-cellular and multicellular factors that affect mechanical behaviour of living cells and tissues, with particular emphasis on embryonic tissues and cultured epithelia.

Method-wise, the project will build upon various experimental mathematical and analysis techniques used by the
research team of the supervisor. Bringing these together will allow the observation and description of a wide range of cell and tissue behaviour, including large deformations, and at short or long time scales. Mechanical characterization methods will be implemented and there will be particular focus on data analysis and theoretical work.

The expected outcome is to establish numerical methods to capture and predict the behaviour of tissues subjected to mechanical perturbations and relate it to biophysical and mechanical parameters, linking individual cell behaviour and properties to macroscopic mechanical properties.