Mechanobiology Research Area
Mechanobiology is the understanding of biology from the perspective of mechanics. This field is important in the understanding of how molecules move things in cells, how cells know when and how much to differentiate, and where cells migrate to. It is also important on the tissue and organ level because forces define much of the organization of cells. Many pathologies such as atherosclerosis, cancer, neurological and developmental diseases can be traced to abnormal mechanics. Recently, investigators are using forces to drive the formation of artificially-grown tissue in a field known as tissue engineering.
This webpage highlights the activities of researchers at Penn State in the area of mechanobiology at levels ranging from single molecules to artificial organs.
Research Topics
Molecular Motors
Kinesins convert chemical energy from ATP into mechanical work to transport of material through out the cell. Investigators in Penn State Bioengineering employ optical techniques such as total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), optical trapping, and molecular biology to tease out the precise mechanisms of this mechanochemical conversion. Similar phenomenon occur in other motors such as myosins and dyneins. Hancock Lab, Jackson Lab, Williams Lab, Cyr Lab, Catchmark Lab
Membranes
Membranes form the solvent in which many cellular proteins sit. Researchers at Penn State are interested in the precise relationship between forces and molecular dynamics, the use of membranes as tools to deliver drugs, and the role of membranes in controlling cell function. Butler Lab, Weiss Lab, Du Lab, Sheets Lab
Cell Adhesion
Forces govern the interaction of ligands with receptors,. This is an important are in immune cell recognition, cancer metastases, and adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells. Dong Lab, Lipowsky Lab
Cell Mechanics and Mechanotransdcution
Cell mechanics is important in defining the relationship between force and cell function. Investigators at Penn State use models and experiments to characterize moduli that define force and deformation at the molecular and cellular level. This resaerhc has applications to acrdiovascular disease, bone remodeling, and inflammation. Butler Lab, Dong Lab, Donahue Lab
Microvascular Hemodynamics
Cell mechanics plays a major role in perfusion of the small blood vessels. Many diseases can be traces to abnormalities in red blood cell mechanics such as sickle cell disease and diabetes. Investigators at Penn State have a long history of investigating the relationship between cell mechanism, and microvascular blood flow. Lipowsky Lab, Dong Lab, Butler Lab
Cardiovascular Fluid Dynamics
Fluid flow and the attendant forces on cells govern flow through artificial hearts, left ventricular assist devices, and around valves. Investigators are interested in the role of fluid mechanics on the function of artificial organs and on blood damage. Manning Lab, Deutch Lab, Weiss Lab
List of Courses
ME 461 Finite Elements in Engineering
BIOE 503 (CH E 503) Fluid Mechanics of Bioengineering Systems
BIOE 505 Bioengineering Mechanics
BIOE 512 Cell and Molecular Bioengineering
Feature Story
Molecular Dynamics of Lipoid Dyes in Membranes
Single molecule spectroscopic techniques and fluorescent carbocyanine dyes are used extensively to infer dynamics of native membrane lipids.
Read More
However, the precise distribution and orientation of the dye in a bilayer and how well the dye dynamics mimic native lipid dynamics is not known. Thus, we simulated a fully-hydrated lipid bilayer comprised of 128 DPPC molecules and 0, 2, or 4 DiI molecules. These studies provide the first atomic, molecular, and intermolecular scale analysis of this popular dye and provide important quantitative parameters to help interpret fluorescence lifetimes and diffusion measurements obtained from time-resolved florescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). Link
Latest News
July 9 - 13
The Department of Bioengineering welcomes to Penn State the 13th International Congress of Biorheology and 6th International Conference on Clinical Hemorheology [include picture from Biorheology home page). We look forward to this exciting assembly of researchers from around the world to discuss the role of fluid and solid mechanics in cardiovascular health and disease. Full Story