Seminar Series
“Dynamic Mechanical Environments Across Space and Time to Study Cell Behavior”
Elise A Corbin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering
University of Delaware
Monday, February 3, 2025
GP1002
12:00pm – 12:50pm
Abstract: Cells constantly interact dynamically with their environment, sensing and responding to mechanical changes with remarkable precision. They detect variations in factors like topography, stiffness, and stretch, which then influence their behavior and, consequently, the function of tissues and organs. While researchers widely recognize the critical role of biomechanical stimuli in shaping cellular morphology and function, much foundational research has focused on static or isolated mechanical effects. The temporal dynamics and directionality of these mechanical influences on cellular responses and collective behaviors remain poorly understood. Our work is driven by the fundamental idea that the dynamic mechanical properties of cells and tissues are crucial to unlocking a deeper understanding of both normal and pathological physiology. In this context, I will describe our approach to studying cell and tissue behavior over space and time using magnetorheological elastomers (MREs). MREs offer a unique advantage because they can rapidly and reversibly alter stiffness in response to a magnetic field. Our innovative ultrasoft MREs can modulate stiffness across a broad range—from liver tissue (5 kPa) to near-cartilage stiffness (300 kPa)—making them ideal for studying various biological tissues, processes, and diseases. By developing tools to explore how time-varying mechanical forces drive physiological and pathological changes, we aim to unlock the next level of mechanobiological insight.
Biography: Elise A. Corbin, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Delaware. Dr. Corbin holds a BS in Engineering Science from Pennsylvania State University and earned her MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she was an NSF IGERT Fellow. Her doctoral research focused on pioneering BioMEMS technologies for measuring single-cell biomechanics. Following her PhD, Dr. Corbin conducted postdoctoral research at the Perelman School of Medicine’s Cardiovascular Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, where she developed innovative tissue-engineered models for cardiovascular applications. At the University of Delaware, her lab is at the forefront of advancing dynamic materials and cutting-edge microdevice technologies to probe time-dependent cellular behaviors, with a focus on both healthy and disease states. Through her interdisciplinary research, Dr. Corbin is working to uncover the mechanobiological principles that drive cellular function and contribute to disease progression.
For a zoom link please contact Kate Harrison at kharrison@wpi.edu