Mechanics of the cell interface studied by model membrane systems

The cell interface is resilient, tunable and can easily adapt its surface area and morphology in response to changing conditions. I use simplified model systems of the cell interface to understand how the physical properties of its constituents and their interactions give rise to such remarkable surface functionality. In this talk, I will discuss my recent findings on the ability of lipid membranes to deform and flow under mechanical perturbations and when coupled to neighboring cell structures (the cytoskeleton or the extracellular matrix). The goals of my experimental program are to shed light on the molecular and physical mechanisms of mechano-transduction in cells and to implement these principles in the design of mechanically responsive bio-interfaces for biological and biomedical applications.