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Biomechanics of Living Cells

Are you interested in research at the interface of biology and mechanics?

We are currently recruiting students for MSc/PhD/Postdoc! 
Please send your CV to ayeletlesman@tauex.tau.ac.il

Research

The coordinated functioning of tissues arises from the interaction among living cells. We study the mechanical signals that govern cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions, mediated by cell-generated forces, extracellular matrix mechanics, and mechanical interaction between cells. On a more applicative level, we aim to provide mechanical tools to direct, control and manipulate cell behaviour toward defined tissue patterns and regulation of disease states.

Some of our publications...

Analysis of root-environment interactions reveals mechanical advantages of growth-driven penetration of roots

By performing experiments of Arabidopsis thaliana roots growing into an agar gel and a needle of similar dimensions pushed into the same agar, while combining a computational model informed by experiments, we show that grow-driven penetration reduces frictional forces and mechanical work, with lower propagation of displacements in the surrounding medium. These findings shed light on the complex interaction of plant roots with their environment, providing a quantitative understanding based on a comparative approach.

Our Team

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