Stem cells and their local microenvironment, or niche, communicate through mechanical
cues to regulate cell fate and cell behaviour and to guide developmental processes. During …

Bone and skeletal muscle are integrated organs and their coupling has been considered
mainly a mechanical one in which bone serves as attachment site to muscle while muscle …

Mechanobiology has underpinned many scientific advances in understanding how
biophysical and biomechanical cues regulate cell behavior by identifying mechanosensitive …

During embryogenesis, the musculoskeletal system develops while containing within itself a
force generator in the form of the musculature. This generator becomes functional relatively …

The vertebrate skeleton consists of over 200 individual bones, each with its own unique
shape, size and function. We study the role of intrauterine muscle-induced mechanical loads …

A range of clinical conditions in which fetal movement is reduced or prevented can have a
severe effect on skeletal development. Animal models have been instrumental to our …

Biophysical cues are essential for guiding skeletal development, but the mechanisms
underlying the mechanical regulation of cartilage and bone formation are unknown. TRPV4 …

Background Hydrostatic pressure (HP) is a significant factor in the function of many tissues,
including cartilage, knee meniscus, temporomandibular joint disc, intervertebral disc, bone …

Convergent extension driven by mediolateral intercalation of chondrocytes is a key process
that contributes to skeletal growth and morphogenesis. While progress has been made in …

Very little is known about the regulation of morphogenesis in synovial joints. Mechanical
forces generated from muscle contractions are required for normal development of several …