TITLE:

Mechanistic Models of Biological and Bioengineered Systems at Cellular and Sub-cellular Length Scales

DATE:

Friday, September 25, 2015

TIME:

3:30 PM

LOCATION:

GMCS 214

SPEAKER:

Dr. Parag Katira. Mechanical Engineering Department

San Diego State University

ABSTRACT:

I build analytical and computational models describing physical interactions between subcellular biological materials such as proteins, nucleotide derivatives, biopolymers, lipid membranes and vesicles as well as interactions at the cellular level between cells and their environment. The aim of these models is to understand the nature of forces driving these interactions and coming up with strategies to manipulate them for developing applications in bioengineering and biomedicine. In this talk, I will present three of my most exciting projects, where novel insights regarding the mechanics of biomatter interactions were obtained using theoretical modeling. The first project describes adsorption of proteins to surfaces coated with hydrophilic polymers, a technique commonly used to make them resistant to protein adsorption. The second projects describes the self-assembly of biopolymers into long wires and tight spools, structures inaccessible by thermally driven self-assembly but made possible by motor-protein driven active transport. The final project describes the role of mechanics in cancer progression, in particular the question of how changes in cellular mechanical properties affects tumor growth and metastasis. The overall goal of this talk is to introduce the audience to some exciting research questions at the interface of biology, physics and engineering and show how uncomplicated models can provide unique insights about complicated biological processes.

HOST:

Dr. Jose Castillo

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