Events

Multi-scale geometric control of cell behaviour by Dr Julien Gautrot Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge

Date:	Thursday 31 March 2011 14:30 - 15:15
Location:	UPC (Engineering Room 148A)

Multi-scale geometric control of cell behaviour by Dr Julien Gautrot, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge

Physical and mechanical parameters play an important role in modulating other molecular and biochemical signalling pathways. In particular, geometric distribution of cell adhesive cues plays a key role in vivo during morphogenesis and tissue homeostasis. Similarly, in vitro, micro- and nano-topology has been shown to affect cell spreading, motility, proliferation, differentiation and mitosis. We used state-of-the-art surface engineering and micro-patterning tools to investigate how geometric cues affect the behaviour of epidermal stem cells from the nano- to the micro-scale. We found that surface properties of materials, at the nanometre scale, are key in directing cell adhesive cues and account for discrepancies in the effect of bulk properties (such as mechanical compliance). In addition, we showed that micro-topology results in re-organisation of the cell cytoskeleton and sub-cellular architecture and may impact on the fate decision of isolated single cells. Similarly, the geometry and balance of adhesive cues controls the formation of multi-cellular structures which mimic the compartmented architecture of the interfollicular epidermis.