Fluorescent Microscope
AFM and Cell Culture Room
ESB2120, Cellular Mechanobiology Lab
Fluorescent Microscope
AFM and Cell Culture Room
ESB2120, Cellular Mechanobiology Lab
Discover Our Focus
The Cellular Mechanobiology Lab (CML) focuses on the role played by mechanical forces and physical constraints in cell function. Main areas of interest include cell-cell and cell-extra-cellular matrix (cell-ECM) adhesion, cell-generated forces, and cell responses to external forces. Our research informs diverse areas from tissue engineering to pathophysiology.
Our research interests are:
- Cell-cell adhesion
- Cadherin mechanobiology
- Traction force microscopy
- Cell-ECM adhesion
- Actin-adhesion interplay
- Multi-scale mechanobiology
Our paper on endogenous tension measurement in epithelial sheets is published in the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering.
- Our collaboration with Dr. Laroussi's lab (ECE) is highlighted in the December 2017 issue of the Illuminator: "Cold plasma technology meets mechanobiology. Working across departments to find medical breakthroughs."
- Dumbali, S. P., Mei, L., Qian S. and Maruthamuthu, V. (2017) Endogenous Sheet-averaged Tension within a Large Epithelial Cell Colony. J. Biomech. Eng. 139: 101008-1-5.
- Maruthamuthu, V. and Gardel, M. L. (2014) Protrusive Activity Modulates Changes in Cell- Cell Tension During Epithelial Cell Scattering. Biophys J. 107: 555-563.
- Maruthamuthu, V., Sabass, B., Schwarz, U.S. and Gardel, M.L. (2011). Cell-ECM Traction Force Modulates Endogenous Tension at Cell-Cell Contacts. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 108: 4708-4713.
- Borghi, N., Lowndes, M., Maruthamuthu, V., Gardel, M.L., and Nelson, W.J. (2010). Regulation of Cell Motile Behavior by Crosstalk between Cadherin- and Integrin-mediated Adhesions. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 107: 13324-13329.
- Maruthamuthu, V., Schulten, K., and Leckband, D.E. (2009) Elasticity and Rupture of a Multi-domain Cell Adhesion Complex. Biophys J. 96: 3005-3014.
- Prakasam, A.K., Maruthamuthu, V., and Leckband, D.E. (2006) Similarities between Heterophilic and Homophilic Cadherin Adhesion. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 103: 15434-15439.
- Dr. Daniel Conway (VCU)
- Dr. Xuefeng Wang (Iowa State)
- Dr. Yun Chen (Johns Hopkins U.)
PROFESSOR
Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Motorized inverted fluorescence microscope
- Biosafety cabinet
- Cell culture incubator
- Liquid nitrogen cryopreservation system
- UVO cleaner