Understanding the physics of cells and tissues for biomedical applications

How do topological cues influence cell adhesion and why is the interaction of cells with surfaces important for cell and tissue organization? Answers to these questions are the aim of our research within the Biotechnology and Biomedical Group. By employing various microscopy techniques in combination with different force spectroscopy methods, as well as self-developed setups, we aim to get more insight into cell-surface interaction forces to correlate physical properties with biological aspects such as tissue structure and function. Moreover, we use tissues from slaughter houses to study the mechanical properties of complex neuronal tissues such as the retina for a better understanding of eye diseases. By showing how nanostructured surfaces promote tissue adhesion and long-term survival for organotypic culture of adult tissue, our study also paves new ways in replacing animal experiments by ex vivo culture models. Additionally, we investigate tissue mechanics and their variations during development from an embryo to an adult to understand how structural changes (e.g. within the extracellular matrix) influence organ function or promote tumor growth.

Selected Publications:

A. Weidt, S. G. Mayr, M. Zink: Influence of Topological Cues on Fibronectin Adsorption and Contact Guidance of Fibroblasts on Microgrooved Titanium. ACS Appl. Bio Mater. 2, 1066-1077 (2019)

S. Kallendrusch, F. Merz, I. Bechmann, S. G. Mayr, M. Zink: Long-Term Tissue Culture of Adult Brain and Spleen Slices on Nanostructured Scaffolds. Advances Healthcare Materials 6 (9), 1601336 (2017)

E. I. Wisotzki, R. P. Friedrich, A. Weidt, C. Alexiou, S. G. Mayr, M. Zink: Cellular response to reagent-free electron-irradiated gelatin hydrogels. Macromolecular Bioscience 16 (6), 914-924 (2016)

U. Allenstein, S. G. Mayr, M. Zink: Contractile cell forces deform macroscopic cantilevers and quantify biomaterial performance. Soft Matter 11 (25), 5053-5059 (2015)

M. Zink: Biocompatibility of Thin Films. Soroush Nazarpour (Ed.): Thin Films and Coatings in Biology, Chapter 2 (11-67), Springer, Berlin Heidelberg (2013)