Project description
Insight into cell mechanosensing
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a three-dimensional fibrous network of macromolecules that provides a scaffold for cells and maintains the integrity of tissues. The cues generated from probing ECM fibres, known as mechanosensing, help cells adjust their behaviour. However, the ECM has an intricate mechanical response and can undergo irreversible transformations, which can lead to network remodelling. The EU-funded CellMechSensE project aims to establish a theoretical framework to obtain fundamental understanding on how cells behave individually and collectively by mechanically interacting with their surrounding environment. Researchers will use biophysical experiments to develop and calibrate a computational model to simulate and quantitatively assess cell behaviour and further advance knowledge on cell and tissue function.
Objective
Inside tissues, living cells can adhere to a heterogeneous fiber network, the extracellular matrix (ECM). Cells adjust their behavior in response to the local resistance they sense from pulling the neighboring fibers (mechanosensing). As they probe the network and respond to signals, cells can strongly distort the ECM and these deformations can serve as cues for other cells. The cell-generated forces can be large enough to trigger non-linear elastic effects and irreversible transformations of the ECM, resulting in drastic network remodeling. Yet, most theoretical studies have focused on small-force mechanical signals transmitted by an idealized static network. Therefore, the overall research aim of this proposal is to establish a theoretical framework to obtain fundamental understanding on how cells can exploit the non-linearities to extract accurate information by mechanically probing their surroundings. Recent advances in high-resolution, cell-scale imaging and measurement techniques now make it possible to calibrate quantitatively the model from experimental data and high computational power will permit a complete quantitative numerical study of the biological system. This project will bring understanding that will fill a crucial gap of knowledge on the mechanisms controlling individual and collective cell behavior, ultimately allowing key advances on our understanding of body functioning. This comprehension will have a major impact in guiding the design of biological implants and potentially avoid dramatic diseases. With this fellowship, I will extend my research area to biophysics and perform extensive computational simulations under the supervision of Prof. Broedersz. Conducting this research project will raise my academic profile as an expert in mechanical modeling of disordered networks. It will hence increase my chances to achieve my goal of becoming an independent research group leader in statistical modeling of disordered systems in France.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology materials engineering fibers
- natural sciences biological sciences biophysics
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology implants
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.