Topic: mechanotransduction

Examine how endothelial cells, smooth-muscle cells and pericytes establish vascular networks and sustain organ function through development and aging. Mechanistic sessions connect RNA and chromatin regulation with organelle signalling, mechanotransduction and tissue remodelling. Studies of vascular heterogeneity and inter-organ communication link these processes to malformations and disease, while imaging, multimodal omics and computational methods provide routes toward therapeutic discovery. 10–15 January: Sunday check-in starts at 14:00 and scientific introductions at 19:30; Friday departur

Mechanical stimulation serves as a cornerstone in elucidating cellular responses and driving advancements in tissue engineering. In this study, we present an innovative approach to cell stretching through the development of a cost-effective device, meticulously crafted in the laboratory setting. Unlike conventional devices, our system incorporates soft stretchable sensors directly embedded into the membranes, revolutionizing the measurement of applied strain and significantly enhancing control over mechanical stimulation protocols. A critical aspect of our methodology involves the assessment o

Our ability to feel a touch relies on the activity of sensory neurons located within the skin. These neurons are able to detect nanometer-scale mechanical displacements at the skin surface and to transduce them into electrical signals. All mechanotransduction complexes identified so far rely on tethering mechanisms. We hypothesize that, similarly, mechanotransduction in the skin requires coupling between the mechanosensitive ion channels and the extracellular matrix mediated by protein tethers. In sensory neurons cultured on a laminin matrix and imaged either with TEM or FIB/SEM, these tethers

Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS) is a non-invasive procedure for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer is the most current form of dementia, affecting millions of patients worldwide. As a neurodegenerative disease, it is associated with a progressive degradation process in the brain, leading to cognitive and functional impairment. Various forms of standard therapies are currently used to slow down the progression of the disease. However, their effective benefits and possible side effects should always be weighted up prior prescription. TPS is a relatively new drug-f