NSF Org: |
CBET Div Of Chem, Bioeng, Env, & Transp Sys |
Recipient: |
|
Initial Amendment Date: | January 29, 2010 |
Latest Amendment Date: | January 29, 2010 |
Award Number: | 0955291 |
Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
Program Manager: |
Michele Grimm
CBET Div Of Chem, Bioeng, Env, & Transp Sys ENG Directorate For Engineering |
Start Date: | April 1, 2010 |
End Date: | March 31, 2016 (Estimated) |
Total Intended Award Amount: | $450,000.00 |
Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $450,000.00 |
Funds Obligated to Date: |
|
History of Investigator: |
|
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
1608 4TH ST STE 201 BERKELEY CA US 94710-1749 (510)643-3891 |
Sponsor Congressional District: |
|
Primary Place of Performance: |
1608 4TH ST STE 201 BERKELEY CA US 94710-1749 |
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District: |
|
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
|
Parent UEI: |
|
NSF Program(s): | Engineering of Biomed Systems |
Primary Program Source: |
|
Program Reference Code(s): |
|
Program Element Code(s): |
|
Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.041 |
ABSTRACT
0955291
Mofrad
Living cells sense and actively respond to mechanical stimuli. This process, termed cellular mechanotransduction, is an essential function of the cell, controlling its growth, proliferation, protein synthesis, and gene expression. Extensive data exist documenting the cell's interaction with the extracellular environment, but less is known about how force affects biological signaling. More generally, the question of how the mechanical and biochemical pathways interact remains largely unanswered. Focal adhesions are a critical component of the cell's interaction with its environment. The key molecular events underlying the formation of focal adhesions are the activation of molecular mechanosensors such as talin and alpha-actinin, the activation of key linker proteins such as vinculin, and the subsequent recruitment of focal adhesion forming molecules.
This study investigates the specific molecular events and biophysical mechanisms involved in focal adhesion mechanotransduction. In addition, this project aims to advance a culture of educational collaboration and sharing of knowledge in the field of cellular mechanotransduction via developing a Web-based global tool with the following features: (1) introductory interactive media to captivate a general audience and gather interest, (2) in-depth resources for education about mechanotransduction and sharing of knowledge, (3) social-networking center for collaboration and sharing of ideas between researchers across the globe.
A combination of computational techniques accompanied with state-of-the-art experimental validations will be used to study the critical molecular mechanisms underlying focal adhesion formation. Experiments alone are currently challenged by a lack of both temporal and spatial resolution preventing their use for investigating the structural mechanisms underlying molecular activation and focal adhesion formation. The temporal and spatial resolution of computational modeling and simulation can be used to design experiments for validation resulting in impactful conclusions. Two complementary computational techniques, in conjunction with molecular biophysical experiments, are used to address the focal adhesion formation events. Molecular dynamics techniques investigate the force-induced activation of talin and á-actinin, and the activation of vinculin in recruitment of actin filaments to focal adhesions, while agent-based biochemical models investigate the recruitment of various other molecules to focal adhesions.
Intellectual Merit. This study will investigate the molecular interactions among the complex protein machinery of focal adhesions with the hope to shed light on the exquisite structural and biophysical mechanisms involved in focal adhesion formation. The combined use of the state-of-the-art computational techniques, ranging from molecular dynamics to agent-based modeling, to investigate molecular and cellular mechanotransduction phenomena is innovative and groundbreaking. In addition, this project will produce novel resources for the sharing of knowledge and collaboration of researchers in cellular mechanotransduction and mechanobiology.
Broader and Transformative Impacts. This project is important both in terms of its immediate goals with respect to molecular biomechanics of the focal adhesions, but also in the broader context of cellular mechanotransduction research and education. This project aims to propose a fundamental basis for understanding how cells sense and actively respond to mechanical stimuli. This process has been hypothesized to play a role in the initiation and progression of many diseases, ranging from cardiovascular diseases to cancer. Understanding the basis of mechanotransduction, therefore, can have a profound impact on our approaches to preventing and tackling of these diseases. It can also lead to novel cell-based nanobiotechnologies that may one day be able to harvest better understanding of the molecular details of cellular mechanotransduction toward innovative applications. In addition, these research efforts will be complemented with the production of a resource for education and research collaboration. The development of a knowledgebase is under way, Mechanotransduction.org, as a center for using effective Web-based tools such as interactive media and social networking resources to connect and bring together both people with general interest in biology and experts in biomechanics. In this way, these tools will capture new interest in mechanotransduction, share knowledge and expertise, and link great minds together.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
Note:
When clicking on a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number, you will be taken to an external site maintained by the publisher. Some full text articles may not yet be available without a charge during the embargo (administrative interval).
Some links on this page may take you to non-federal websites. Their policies may differ from this site.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
Living cells actively interact with their surrounding environment by exchanging mechanical and biochemical signals. This process, which is termed “cellular mechanotransduction”, controls many biological functions of the cell, such as survival, differentiation, and migration. Despite the vital importance of these processes, the underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. This NSF CAREER award supported fundamental research towards understanding the processes and the molecular players involved in cellular mechanotransduction. This investigation crossed several disciplines including biology, chemistry, mechanics, and bioengineering. The multi-disciplinary approach, along with educational and outreach activities, has helped broaden participation of underrepresented groups in research and positively impact engineering education.
Scientific Impact. This research provided a molecular basis for understanding how cells sense and actively respond to mechanical stimuli from their surrounding micro- and nano-environment. This process has been hypothesized to play a role in the initiation and progression of many diseases, ranging from cardiovascular diseases to cancer. Understanding the basis of mechanotransduction, therefore, can have a profound impact on our approaches to preventing and tackling of these diseases. It can also lead to novel cell-based nanobiotechnologies that may one day be able to harvest better understanding of the molecular details of cellular mechanotransduction toward innovative applications. It will ultimately inspire new avenues in cell-based therapeutic approaches.
Educational Impact. These research efforts were complemented with the production of a resource for education and research collaboration. The development of a knowledgebase as a center for using effective Web-based tools such as interactive media and social networking resources to connect and bring together both people with general interest in biology and experts in biomechanics. In this way, these tools will capture new interest in mechanotransduction, share knowledge and expertise, and link great minds together.
Last Modified: 01/03/2017
Modified by: Mohammad Mofrad
Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.