"If physics and biology one day meet, and one of the two is swallowed up, that one will be biology. "
-JBS. Haldane
-JBS. Haldane
Physical Biology centres on the development and/or adaptation of physical methods and concepts for elucidating the complexity and dynamics of biological structures. We are particularly interested in understanding eukaryotic cell functions and how these can be manipulated effectively using nanomaterials.
Our ability to construct synthetic viruses is enabling just to study of cellular endocytosis and sub-cellular trafficking how these processes are controlled by membrane deformation induced by external nanoscopic objects. We are combining novel high-resolution microscopic techniques with cellular biology methods and theoretical modelling of the kinetics and energies that govern these processes. Learning how to access the cells has also allowed us to develop novel analytical tools for the study of live cells by fluorescence techniques and electron microscopy that are allowing us the gathering of functional and structural cues with minimal perturbation of the cell activity.
One area where physical biology and supramolecular engineering spouses very well is cell and tissue engineering. Here we have started a series of projects aimed to elucidate how nanoscale cues such as ligand topology affect other cellular processes such as cell adhesion, motility, and differentiation. In doing so, we have learned to construct new 3D models that can be used for the toxicological and pharmacological evaluation of different synthetic nanomaterials. We are been setting up models for human mucosa, skin, solid tumours, in flow bioreactors, and blood-brain barrier. These models are extremely critical to understand the diffusion of nanoparticles across tissues where we study how mechanical properties and surface chemistry control tissue penetration applying percolation models.
To know more click on the link below
Our ability to construct synthetic viruses is enabling just to study of cellular endocytosis and sub-cellular trafficking how these processes are controlled by membrane deformation induced by external nanoscopic objects. We are combining novel high-resolution microscopic techniques with cellular biology methods and theoretical modelling of the kinetics and energies that govern these processes. Learning how to access the cells has also allowed us to develop novel analytical tools for the study of live cells by fluorescence techniques and electron microscopy that are allowing us the gathering of functional and structural cues with minimal perturbation of the cell activity.
One area where physical biology and supramolecular engineering spouses very well is cell and tissue engineering. Here we have started a series of projects aimed to elucidate how nanoscale cues such as ligand topology affect other cellular processes such as cell adhesion, motility, and differentiation. In doing so, we have learned to construct new 3D models that can be used for the toxicological and pharmacological evaluation of different synthetic nanomaterials. We are been setting up models for human mucosa, skin, solid tumours, in flow bioreactors, and blood-brain barrier. These models are extremely critical to understand the diffusion of nanoparticles across tissues where we study how mechanical properties and surface chemistry control tissue penetration applying percolation models.
To know more click on the link below
ADHESION Topology |
3D Tissue models |
TISSUE PENETRATION |
