Mechanotransduction and Biophysical Regulation
Biochemical and biological factors are not the only key players in cell sensing, signal transduction and epigenetic regulation. Biophysical cues, such as mechanical forces, electrical signals, and micro/nano structures, play an equally important role. Our research goal is to gain a deeper understanding of these processes through the mechanisms of mechanotransduction and biophysical regulation, and to apply this knowledge to develop new technologies for engineering cell fate and promoting tissue regeneration. Our ongoing studies are focused on the following areas: (1) investigating the impact of mechanical forces on cell sensing, epigenetic state, and 3D chromatin reorganization, and (2) exploring the potential of electrical modulation for promoting neuromuscular regeneration.
Publication Highlights
Research
Aug 2022
Transient nuclear deformation primes epigenetic state and promotes cell reprogramming
Nature Materials
Yang Song, Jennifer Soto, Binru Chen, Tyler Hoffman, Weikang Zhao, Ninghao Zhu, Qin Peng, Longwei Liu, Chau Ly, Pak Kin Wong, Yingxiao Wang, Amy C. Rowat, Siavash K. Kurdistani, Song Li
Research
Nov 2020
Stretchable, dynamic covalent polymers for soft, long-lived bioresorbable electronic stimulators designed to facilitate neuromuscular regeneration.
Nature Communications. 11:5990.
Choi YS, Hsueh YY, Koo J, Yang Q, Avila R, Hu B, Xie Z, Lee G, Ning Z, Liu C, Xu Y, Lee YJ, Zhao W, Fang J, Deng Y, Lee SM, Vázquez-Guardado A, Stepien I, Yan Y, Song JW, Haney C, Oh YS, Liu W, Yun HJ, Banks A, MacEwan MR, Ameer GA, Ray WZ, Huang Y, Xie T, Franz CK, Li S*, Rogers JA*.
Review
Mar 2020
Cell engineering: Biophysical regulation of the nucleus.
Biomaterials.
Song Y, Soto J, Chen B, Yang L, Li S.
Review
Feb 2020
Engineering Biomaterials with Micro/Nanotechnologies for Cell Reprogramming.
ACS Nano. 14(2):1296-1318.
Fang J, Hsueh YY, Soto J, Sun W, Wang J, Gu Z, Khademhosseini A, Li S.
Research
2013
Biophysical regulation of epigenetic state and cell reprogramming.
Nature Materials. 12:1154-1162.
Downing T, Soto J, Morez C, Houssin T, Yuan F, Chu J, Fritz A, Patel S, Schaffer D, Li S.
Research
2011
The effect of matrix stiffness on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in response to TGF-β.
Biomaterials. 32:3921-3930.
Park JS, Chu JS, Tsou AD, Diop R, Tang Z, Wang A, Li S.