This National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) Project Grant award of $393,371 supports a collaborative research project to investigate the mechanics and structural properties of the nuclear envelope (NE) in eukaryotic cells. The award, made to the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (Tees), has an ultimate completion date of July 31, 2027.
The key goals of this experimental and computational research are to: 1) discover the link between NE structure and its mechanical properties, and 2) identify mechanical principles for designing a new generation of biologically inspired complex materials. The researchers will quantify spatial fluctuations in the NE under various perturbations, such as changes to passive load-bearing proteins, active force-generating cytoskeletal proteins, and ATP depletion. Monte Carlo simulations on a double membrane system with donut-shaped pores will be used to interpret the experimental observations and develop insights into the underlying NE mechanics and forces. The findings will also be used to develop physics-based educational games for a virtual mechanics and biomechanics laboratory.
Generated 3/18/25, 1:45 AM