The stiffness of both biological and physical structures are determined by their geometric properties and their inherent material properties (modulus). We are studying the mechanical properties of complex biological structures like proteins, cells, and tissues. Since biology is inherently nonlinear and heterogenous, we devise simple polymer systems to mimic biological structure.
polymer linkers can be utilized to count biological bonds
Extreme hardening of ultrathin PDMS films
ovarian epithelial cancer cells are quite deformable
lung extracellular matrix affects epithelial cell mechanics