Cytoskeletal Mechanics & Active Matter

Cytoskeletal Mechanics & Active Matter

This research explores how biochemical activity inside the cytosol shapes the mechanical behavior of cells at larger scales. It was first supported by the New Frontiers in Research Fund – Exploration (NFRF-E) and is now funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Our recent results reveal how cancer cells adapt metabolically under glucose starvation, maintaining contractile function under moderate deprivation and yielding only under severe starvation. This resilience highlights a fundamental coupling between metabolism and cytoskeletal mechanics.

Looking ahead, the broader goal is to connect active mechanics with biological systems to explain how cells and tissues adapt and organize across contexts — from cancer metabolism to embryogenesis and other fundamental processes of life. By bridging mechanics and biology, we aim to develop a unified framework for how cells convert biochemical energy into structure, motion, and resilience.