Uduak George, San Diego State University
Sculpting Organs: The Role of Molecular and Biomechanical Cues in Morphogenesis
Morphogenesis, a biological process by which cells organize to form complex tissues, emerges from a highly dynamic interplay between molecular factors and biomechanical forces. This process is tightly regulated, and even minor aberrations in morphogenesis can have lasting effects on disease susceptibility and lifelong organ function. Furthermore, the molecular and biomechanical factors that drive morphogenesis are often dysregulated during aging and disease. Despite its central role in development, our understanding of how molecular and mechanical factors interact during morphogenesis remains limited. A deeper understanding of morphogenesis may inform interventions to prevent disease onset and guide research in organ regeneration. In this talk, I will present an approach for systematically integrating computational modeling and laboratory experimentation to elucidate the interplay between molecular factors and biomechanical forces in organ formation, with a focus on the lungs and the mammary gland.