IRG II: Patterns, Gradients and Signals in Soft Biomaterials @ California Institute of Technology
Research Fields: | Biomolecular / Biomimetic Materials | Soft Materials, Colloids |
The interdisciplinary research group on Patterns, Gradients and Signals in Soft Biomaterials seeks to develop macromolecular materials with predictable biological response by combining understanding of macromolecular synthesis, experimental and theoretical nanomechanics, and cell biology to move towards a comprehensive understanding of biological structure-function relationships in soft materials. Artificial extracellular matrix (aECM) proteins which enable novel functions are being developed as artificial substrates for cell-surface interactions. Cell migration and assembly are investigated using these substrates, and the mechanical properties of cells and their bioactive substrates are studied experimentally and theoretically.