The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $1,117,664 Project Grant under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) to the University of Southern California (USC) Department of Contracts and Grants. This 4-year grant, starting on February 15, 2025, will support research to investigate the physical and molecular mechanisms underlying the transmission of mechanical forces from the cell's exterior to the nucleus. The project, titled "MECHALINC: MECHANISTICS OF LINC-MEDIATED FORCE TRANSMISSION," will integrate advanced microscopy, nanomanipulation, and computational modeling techniques to study how protein complexes called LINC (Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton) enable the transfer of forces across the nuclear membrane. The findings are expected to provide new insights into normal and defective cellular mechanobiology, with potential applications in the design of force-responsive nanodevices for human health.
Generated 3/4/25, 7:10 AM