Active Mechanobiological Networks in Development and Cancer

The structural and mechanical features of cellular systems are often composed of complex, active biopolymer networks. The intracellular filamentous network – the cytoskeleton – enables cells to perform basic mechanical functions, such as force generation and tissue morphogenesis, and the extracellular matrix serves as a scaffolding and signaling environment. Deregulation in these networks can lead to diseased states, such as cancer metastasis. Through integrated experimental and computational approaches, we explore the local physical mechanisms that modulate network behavior.