Grant: Foundation Grant

<html> <body> <p> <strong><u>Program Direction and Overall vision:</u></strong> <br> <strong><em><u>Mechanics are at the heart of cell biology, and disorders are the basis of many diseases</u></em></strong> <br> Force-sensing and mechanical adaptation can be seen in nearly every aspect of our physiology, and cell function appears to be tied to the mechanical state of the cell. We hypothesize that these mechanics are not constant, but are regulated by a cellular control system that measures and responds to forces. When these systems incorrectly transduce or withstand forces, pathological failure may occur. These ideas frame the central question for my program:<br> <br> <strong><em>How do cells sense and respond to force, and how are these mechanisms altered in disease?</em></strong> <br> <br> <strong><u>Expected outcomes and impact:</u></strong> <br> <strong><em><u>Understanding mechanotransduction will advance basic cell biology, while providing new targets for diagnostics and therapeutics.</u></em></strong> <br> While this program is focused on basic science, understanding the molecular mechanisms of <strong>mechanotransduction</strong> will have profound impact across broad fields of study, from cell motility and differentiation to diverse medical disorders including cancers, kidney failure, and cardiovascular disease. Resolving the links between forces and biological systems will be a transformative element of healthcare in this century, both in diagnostics and therapeutics, allowing us to approach pathology from a mechanical perspective, and my research has led to two startup companies that use mechanics to deliver new technologies for improved healthcare. The program described here will continue to innovate new translational metholodogies, as well as reveal basic the science of how forces and mechanics interact with biological systems.<br> <br> <strong><u>Core expertise:</u></strong> <br> <strong><em><u>Our program lies at the interface of physical engineering and biology, and will draw experts from diverse disciplines to attack these challenges.</u></em></strong> <br> Understanding the complex biochemical and physical interactions responsible for physiology and pathology is an exceptional challenge across broad disciplines. As a postdoctoral researcher I learned how to draw specialized expertise from applied physics, molecular biology, and medicine to tackle interdisciplinary challenges in modern biophysics. This program will draw expertise from 12 Program Experts who are leaders in their field, across two countries and four institutions, to assemble the best collection of selective excellence. This network of experts will ensure that our program has the diverse support required for success, and will evolve and expand as our program continues. This compendium of support will also safeguard our research by providing redundant facilities any breakdowns or repairs occur, and will ensure that our program has the diverse support required for success. The more senior faculty members will also provide mentorship and guidance as I mature in my faculty growth.<br> <br> <strong><u>Mentoring and training:</u></strong> <br> <strong><em><u>Guiding today&rsquo;s research trainees into tomorrow&rsquo;s research leaders.</u></em></strong> <br> I continue my strong commitment by currently mentoring six researchers in my research group and growing our team quickly. In brief, my strategy for mentorship will continue to provide an open collaborative environment, where trainees benefit from a diverse and multidisciplinary mixture of researchers in our group, Program, and beyond.&nbsp; Trainees largely design their projects, mentor junior students, present science updates and have personal meetings with me every two weeks, and attend at least one major conference yearly to connect with a broader scientific network.<br> </p> </body> </html>