Mechanobiological control of immune cell activation

Biomedical sciences increasingly recognise the importance of mechanobiology in health and disease. While most mechanisms of the human immune response are adequately explained by cell-biology, biochemistry, and genetics, many of its features profoundly depend on biomechanical aspects. One such scenario involves the ability of immune cells to differently respond to antigens, highlighting additional parameters needed to fully explain antigen discrimination. Emerging evidence indicates that immune cells dynamically adjust their biomechanics to facilitate this process. The project aims to uncover how such biomechanical mechanisms contribute to the activation of immune cells. I will use advanced biophysical methods to highlight new details controlling the mechanobiology of immune cell activation. The research project will significantly extend on previous biophysical approaches, and thus establish mechanobiology as an emerging factor contributing to immune cell physiology influencing immune cell-responses and therapies.