Research Projects

To develop dynamical theoretical and computational models that reveal the mechanical response of biological cells. The project involves inputs from continuum mechanics, differential geometry, computational mechanics and high performance computing to predict the behavior of biological cells, in particular their membranes, at micron and sub-micron scales. Even with the advancement in super-resolution microscopes, it is still challenging to visualize the complex and dynamic 3-D environment of individual cells. Hence, there is need for thermodynamical models to elucidate how different components co-ordinate and self-organize in our cells to perform several biophysical functions. The design principles extracted from studying nature at these scales can help in understanding the role of mechanics in health and disease, developing bio-mimetic systems, and optimizing the mechanical properties of drugs that interact with living cells and tissues.