Mechano-control of immune and immune-associated cells

Reconstructing disease related in vitro models gives rise the opportunity for mechanistic investigations into disease initiation and progression in various tissues. At LIBRA we focus on immune cell and we approach disease investigation from a mechanobiology perspective - immunomechanobiology. Using and modifying collagen hydrogel-based biomaterials as primary scaffolds, we investigate the mechano-control of immune cells that comes from extracellular matrix stiffness (density and crosslinking), microarchitecture, and ECM constituents on various aspects of immunology. We are investigating immune and immune-associated cells in the context of cancer, wound healing, and atherosclerosis.