Biomolecular Sciences Seminar Series: Dr. Gunes Uzer

About this event

Biomolecular Sciences Seminar Series

Dr. Gunes Uzer, Boise State University

Title: Mechanobiology of Stem Cells in Health and Disease

Abstract: Sensation of mechanical environment is critical in directing cellular function and, in the case of stem cells, regulating lineage selection. This seminar will focus on the mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow that provide regenerative capacity by replacing and reinforcing the skeleton at load bearing sites. The ability of mesenchymal stem cells to respond to mechanical cues generated during functional loading is critical for this capacity. I will discuss my laboratory’s findings on how mechanical coupling of nucleus with the cytoskeleton contributes to mesenchymal stem cell mechanosignaling, fate selection as well as applying lessons learned as strategies to alleviate age related stem cell exhaustion and developing models to study mechanoregulation in aging bone-marrow. During the talk, I will further highlight current data-driven image analysis and macro/nano scale cellular mechanics studies towards cellular mechano-omics for basic science and clinical applications.