Research Vision
At the Mechanobiologics Lab, we investigate how mechanical forces regulate cellular behavior in health and disease. Our work integrates micro- and nanoscale biomaterials, mechanotransduction biology and ultrasound mechanostimulation platforms to develop clinically translatable therapies, particularly for cancer, fibrosis and stem cell-based regenerative medicine.
Core Research Area
Cancer mechanobiology
The research focuses on recapitulating the micro- and nanoscale architecture of cancerous tissues using novel biomaterial platforms and on investigating the effects of mechanical force on cancer cells grown on these platforms. The insights gained will be used to optimize low-frequency ultrasound (LFU) mechanostimulation to maximize cancer cell killing and to develop therapeutic strategies and technologies for clinical treatment. In particular, our lab is interested in oral cancer, which is the second most prevalent cancer in India.
Stem cell bioengineering
The research focuses on employing low-frequency ultrasound (LFU) mechanostimulation to regulate stem cell fate. We systematically study how parameters such as force magnitude, geometry, and ligand spacing influence differentiation. Our objectives include engineering mechanobiological cues, optimizing LFU parameters to direct stem cell lineage, maximizing differentiation efficiency and developing stem cell-based regenerative therapies.
Ultrasound mechanostimulation platform & devices
The research focuses on developing ultrasound mechanostimulation platforms and related devices to apply controlled mechanical forces that fit standard laboratory workflows. These devices will be used for a wide range of biomedical applications, including mechanobiology, stem cell engineering and regenerative medicine.