ABSTRACT
In embryonic development or tumor evolution, cells collectively migrate within complex microenvironments set by the surrounding tissues and the structure of the extracellular matrix. Therefore, the involved characteristic length-scales range from hundreds of nanometers to hundreds of microns. These conditions can be reproduced in vitro in a controlled way by exposing cell monolayers to microfabricated structures. I’ll discuss the impact of these characteristic length-scales on the collective flows that are generated by cell activity, and present experiments where the cells themselves shape their microenvironment in such a way as to retain the memory of their 2D architecture as they form multilayers.
BIOGRAPHY
Prof. Pascal Silberzan is a Distinguished Research Professor in biophysics at CNRS and Head of the “Biology-inspired Physics at MesoScales” team at the Institut Curie in Paris. With a Ph.D. from the Collège de France and Université Paris VI, Dr. Silberzan has over three decades of research experience in biophysics, particularly in the collective behaviors of active cells and bacteria in microstructured environments. His interdisciplinary work uses microfabrication techniques at different scales and applies physics concepts to biological systems. His research has led to major advancements in our understanding of collective cell migration and tissue dynamics. A fellow of the American Physical Society, he is also deeply involved in academic mentorship.
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