Professor of Mechanobiology
Dean for Research (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
Organ-on-a-Chip, Bioengineering, Mechanobiology, Primary Cilia, Cancer, Arthritis
Publications of specific relevance to the Faculty of Science and Engineering
Multi-omics qualification of an organ-on-a-chip model of osteolytic bone metastasisHUMAN JOINT-ON-A-CHIP: MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION TO STUDY PATIENT-SPECIFIC CROSSTALKPulsatile low shear stress increases susceptibility to endothelial inflammation via upregulation of IFT and activation of YAPEngineering growth factor gradients to drive spatiotemporal tissue patterning in organ-on-a-chip systemsNonlinear Stress‐Induced Transformations in Collagen Fibrillar Organization, Disorder and Strain Mechanisms in the Bone‐Cartilage UnitAir Pollution and OsteoporosisData (SAXS and mechanical data) for W. Badar et al Nonlinear Stress-induced Transformations in Collagen Fibrillar Organisation, Disorder and Strain Mechanisms In The Bone-Cartilage UnitData used in the paper Nonlinear Stress-induced Transformations in Collagen Fibrillar Organisation, Disorder and Strain Mechanisms In The Bone-Cartilage Unit by W. Badar et alA Self‐Assembled 3D Model Demonstrates How Stiffness Educates Tumor Cell Phenotypes and Therapy Resistance in Pancreatic CancerA Novel Primary Cilium‐Mediated Mechanism Through which Osteocytes Regulate Metastatic Behavior of Both Breast and Prostate Cancer CellsHuman vascularised synovium-on-a-chip: a mechanically stimulated, microfluidic model to investigate synovial inflammation and monocyte recruitmentOrgan-on-a-Chip and Microfluidic Platforms for Oncology in the UKTechniques for Visualization and Quantification of Primary Cilia in ChondrocytesYAP activation inhibits inflammatory signalling and cartilage breakdown associated with reduced primary cilia expressionMechanostimulation of breast myoepithelial cells induces functional changes associated with DCIS progression to invasionCollagen pre-strain discontinuity at the bone—Cartilage interfaceOscillations of the circadian clock protein, BMAL-1, align to daily cycles of mechanical stimuli: a novel means to integrate biological time within predictive in vitro model systemsReversible changes in the 3D collagen fibril architecture during cyclic loading of healthy and degraded cartilageAbstract 2642: Using 3-Dimensional in vitro models to unravel the complexity of the metastatic microenvironment in high-grade serous ovarian cancerMechanical Stimulation Modulates Osteocyte Regulation of Cancer Cell PhenotypeA human multi-cellular model shows how platelets drive production of diseased extracellular matrix and tissue invasionModelling TGFβR and Hh pathway regulation of prognostic matrisome molecules in ovarian cancerPolycystin-2 is required for chondrocyte mechanotransduction and traffics to the primary cilium in response to mechanical stimulationSub-toxic levels of cobalt ions impair mechanostranduction via HDAC6-depedent primary cilia shortening.Corrigendum: Mechanical Stimulation: A Crucial Element of Organ-on-Chip ModelsModelling TGFβR and Hh pathway regulation of prognostic matrisome molecules in ovarian cancerActivation of TRPV4 by mechanical, osmotic or pharmaceutical stimulation is anti-inflammatory blocking IL-1β mediated articular cartilage matrix destructionUsing 3-Dimensional in vitro models to unravel the complexity of the metastatic microenvironment in high-grade serous ovarian cancer.Mechanical Stimulation: A Crucial Element of Organ-on-Chip ModelsSolution-Processed Epitaxial Growth of Arbitrary Surface Nanopatterns on Hybrid Perovskite Monocrystalline Thin Films.Nanoscale mapping reveals functional differences in ion channels populating the membrane of primary ciliaSub-toxic levels of Co2+ are anti-inflammatory and protect cartilage from degradation caused by IL-1βCiliary exclusion of Polycystin-2 promotes kidney cystogenesis in an autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease modelProteoglycan degradation mimics static compression by altering the natural gradients in fibrillar organisation in cartilageTransglutaminase-2 Mediates the Biomechanical Properties of the Colorectal Cancer Tissue Microenvironment that Contribute to Disease ProgressionMechanical loading inhibits cartilage inflammatory signalling via an HDAC6 and IFT-dependent mechanism regulating primary cilia elongationAn in vitro investigation of the inflammatory response to the strain amplitudes which occur during high frequency oscillation ventilation and conventional mechanical ventilationOncometabolite induced primary cilia loss in pheochromocytomaTransglutaminase-2 mediates stromal biomechanics in colorectal cancerMechanical loading induces primary cilia disassembly in tendon cells via TGFβ and HDAC6Cobalt ions stimulate a fibrotic response through matrix remodelling, fibroblast contraction and release of pro-fibrotic signals from macrophagesTissue stiffening promotes keratinocyte proliferation through activation of epidermal growth factor signalingCobalt (II) ions and nanoparticles induce macrophage retention by ROS-mediated down-regulation of RhoA expression.Investigating drivers of the tumour matrisome, and their role in disease progressionDeconstruction of a metastatic tumor microenvironment reveals a common matrix response in human cancers.Chondrocyte expansion is associated with loss of primary cilia and disrupted hedgehog signalling.The Secret Life of Collagen: Temporal Changes in Nanoscale Fibrillar Pre-Strain and Molecular Organization During Physiological Loading of Cartilage.Topography of calcium phosphate ceramics regulates primary cilia length and TGF receptor recruitment associated with osteogenesis.Abstract 5558: Deconstruction of a human tumor microenvironmentP07 Interleukin response to cyclical mechanical stretch with models of different neonatal ventilation modesSmoothened‐antagonists reverse homogentisic acid‐induced alterations of Hedgehog signaling and primary cilium length in alkaptonuriaReduced Primary Cilia Length and Altered Arl13b Expression Are Associated with Deregulated Chondrocyte Hedgehog Signalling in AlkaptonuriaA Cd98hc-Dependent Mechanism Mediates Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Release In Cell And Animal Models Of Lung InjuryPolycystins are required for primary cilia-mediated mechanotransduction in chondrocytesPrimary cilia mechanobiologyCyclic loading leads to primary cilia disassembly in human tenocytesExperimental validation of a flat punch indentation methodology calibrated against unconfined compression tests for determination of soft tissue biomechanicsChondrocyte dedifferentiation increases cell stiffness by strengthening membrane-actin adhesionChondrocyte dedifferentiation down regulates mechano-responsiveness and hedgehog signalling associated with changes in primary cilia structureChanges in chondrocyte primary cilia structure and function are associated with altered mechanoregulation in AlkaptonuriaZonal variation in primary cilia elongation correlates with localized biomechanical degradation in stress deprived tendon.IFT88 influences chondrocyte actin organization and biomechanicsLithium chloride modulates chondrocyte primary cilia and inhibits Hedgehog signalingDifferential effects of LifeAct-GFP and actin-GFP on cell mechanics assessed using micropipette aspirationPhysiology of urethral flowHedgehog signalling does not stimulate cartilage catabolism and is inhibited by Interleukin-1βCytokine preconditioning of engineered cartilage provides protection against interleukin-1 insult.Lithium chloride modulates chondrocyte primary cilia and inhibits Hedgehog signalingLithium chloride prevents interleukin- 1β induced cartilage degradation and loss of mechanical propertiesFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL DEFORMATION OF CHONDROCYTE TO 2D SUBSTRATE AND 3D SCAFFOLDAdipogenic Differentiation of hMSCs is Mediated by Recruitment of IGF‐1r Onto the Primary Cilium Associated With Cilia ElongationStem cell differentiation increases membrane-actin adhesion regulating cell blebability, migration and mechanicsThe rate of hypo-osmotic challenge influences regulatory volume decrease (RVD) and mechanical properties of articular chondrocytes89 Primary Cilia In Tenocytes From The Inter-fascicular Matrix And The Fascicular MatrixThe primary cilium influences interleukin-1β-induced NFκB signalling by regulating IKK activity.Quantification of chromatin condensation level by image processing.Primary cilia disassembly down-regulates mechanosensitive hedgehog signalling: a feedback mechanism controlling ADAMTS-5 expression in chondrocytes.Depletion of chondrocyte primary cilia reduces the compressive modulus of articular cartilage.In vitro encrustation of a semi-permanent polymer-covered nitinol ureter stent: an artificial urine modelCorrection: Super-Resolution Imaging Strategies for Cell Biologists Using a Spinning Disk MicroscopeSurface topography regulates wnt signaling through control of primary cilia structure in mesenchymal stem cells.Interleukin-1β sequesters hypoxia inducible factor 2α to the primary cilium.Stent encrustation in feline and human artificial urine: does the low molecular weight composition account for the difference?Osmotic challenge drives rapid and reversible chromatin condensation in chondrocytes.THE ROLE OF PRIMARY CILIA IN CARTILAGE HEALTH AND DISEASESuper-resolution imaging strategies for cell biologists using a spinning disk microscope.Bardet-Biedl syndrome proteins control the cilia length through regulation of actin polymerizationSuper-resolution imaging strategies for Cell Biologists using a spinning disk microscopeHeat shock induces rapid resorption of primary ciliaHeat shock induces rapid resorption of primary ciliaHeat-shock induces rapid resorption of primary ciliaMechanical strain disrupts primary cilia structure and modulates hedgehog signalling in adult chondrocytesTopographical regulation of primary cilia orientation and length in mesenchymal stem cellsA role for IFT88/the primary cilium in the inflammatory response to interleukin-1Bardet-Biedl syndrome proteins control cilia length through regulation of actin polymerisationThe primary cilium conducts chondrocyte mechanotransductionThe Shape of the Urine Stream - From Biophysics to DiagnosticsCell mechanics, structure, and function are regulated by the stiffness of the three-dimensional microenvironment.Viscoelastic Cell Mechanics and Actin Remodelling Are Dependent on the Rate of Applied PressurePrimary cilia elongation in response to interleukin-1 mediates the inflammatory responseDynamic compressive strain influences chondrogenic gene expression in human periosteal cells: a case study.PRESSURE RATE SENSITIVE VISCOELASTIC CELL DEFORMATION INVOLVES ACTIN REMODELLINGPrimary cilia mediate mechanotransduction through control of ATP-induced Ca2+ signaling in compressed chondrocytesImproved outcome after peripheral nerve injury in mice with increased levels of endogenous Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acidsSingle photon counting fluorescence lifetime detection of pericellular oxygen concentrations.Gap junction permeability between tenocytes within tendon fascicles is suppressed by tensile loadingThe Role of the Primary Cilium in Chondrocyte Response to Mechanical LoadingTopographical regulation of primary cilia orientation and length in mesenchymal stem cellsHeat-shock induces rapid resorption of primary ciliaOmega-3 fatty acids and acute neurological trauma: A perspective on clinical translationE84 Can Shockwave lithotripsy remove encrustation from ureteric nitinol stents?E70 The influence of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy on tissue viability around metallic ureteral stentsE189 Does the composition of feline urine prevent calcium oxalate encrustation of urethral stents?E75 Comparison of encrustation rates between ureteric metal stents and Double J stentsGap junction permeability between tenocytes within tendon fascicles is suppressed by tensile loadingStem cell mechanobiology.The effect of mechanical strain or hypoxia on cell death in subpopulations of rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitroThe potential of pulsed low intensity ultrasound to stimulate chondrocytes matrix synthesis in agarose and monolayer culturesEicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid reduce interleukin-1β-mediated cartilage degradationBoth superficial and deep zone articular chondrocyte subpopulations exhibit the crabtree effect but have different basal oxygen consumption ratesCyclic loading opens hemichannels to release ATP as part of a chondrocyte mechanotransduction pathwayA compartment model to evaluate the permeability of gap junctions between tenocytes in tendon fasciclesMeasuring the biomechanical properties of cartilage cellsMechanical loading modulates chondrocyte primary cilia incidence and lengthContributor contact details4 Measuring the biomechanical properties of cartilage cells1P338 1J1450 Mechano-regulation of gap junction communications between tenocytes within isolated fascicles(Bioengineering,Oral Presentations,The 48th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society of Japan)Articular chondrocytes express connexin 43 hemichannels and P2 receptors - A putative mechanoreceptor complex involving the primary cilium?Biomechanical analysis of structural deformation in living cellsMechanosensitive Purinergic Calcium Signalling in Articular ChondrocytesLoading alters actin dynamics and up-regulates cofilin gene expression in chondrocytesLoading alters actin dynamics and up-regulates cofilin gene expression in chondrocytesAn improved confocal FRAP technique for the measurement of long-term actin dynamics in individual stress fibersPurinergic pathway suppresses the release of NO and stimulates proteoglycan synthesis in chondrocyte/agarose constructs subjected to dynamic compressionCyclic compression of chondrocytes modulates a purinergic calcium signalling pathway in a strain rate- and frequency-dependent mannerUltrastructure of insect and spider cocoon silksMitochondrial dynamics in chondrocytes and their connection to the mechanical properties of the cytoplasmIntracellular mechanics and mechanotransduction associated with chondrocyte deformation during pipette aspirationChondrocyte deformation induces mitochondrial distortion and heterogeneous intracellular strain fieldsMechanical compression and hydrostatic pressure induce reversible changes in actin cytoskeletal organisation in chondrocytes in agarose.Chondrocyte Deformation and Mechanotransduction in Cartilage Model Systems(International Workshop 2)Probing mechanical heterogeneity in chondrocytes using passive microtheologyActivation of chondrocytes calcium signalling by dynamic compression is independent of number of cycles.Confocal analysis of local and cellular strains in chondrocyte-agarose constructs subjected to mechanical shear.Mechanical loading of chondrocytes embedded in 3D constructs: in vitro methods for assessment of morphological and metabolic response to compressive strain.Increased presence of cells with multiple elongated processes in osteoarthritic femoral head cartilage.Mechanical Loading of Chondrocytes Embedded in 3D ConstructsLive cell imaging using confocal microscopy induces intracellular calcium transients and cell death.Confocal Analysis of Local and Cellular Strains in Chondrocyte - Agarose Constructs Subjected to Shear.Mechanical strain and hydrostatic pressure induce reversible changes in actin cytoskeletal organisation in chondrocytes in agaroseLight-induced calcium signalling in chondrocytesCell and nucleus deformation in compressed chondrocyte-alginate constructs: temporal changes and calculation of cell modulus.Light-induced calcium signalling in chondrocytes.Changes in cell morphology and cytoskeletal organisation in osteoarthritic cartilage.Mechanical strain and hydrostatic pressure induce reversible changes in actin cytoskeletal organisation in chondrocytes in agarose.Characterisation of cell morphology, cytoskeletal organization and apoptosis in human osteoarthritic cartilage.Deformation properties of articular chondrocytes: a critique of three separate techniques.Chondrocyte deformation within mechanically and enzymatically extracted chondrons compressed in agarose.Temporal changes in cytoskeletal organisation within isolated chondrocytes quantified using a novel image analysis technique.Mechanical compression influences intracellular Ca2+ signaling in chondrocytes seeded in agarose constructs.Compressive deformation and damage of muscle cell subpopulations in a model system.Temporal changes in cell and nucleus deformation in isolated chondrocytes compressed in alginate scaffolds.Mechanical compression influences cytoskeletal oragnisation within chondrocytes seeded in agarose constructs.Intracellular - CA2+ signalling in compressed chondrocyte agarose constructsCompression induced cell and nucleus deformation in chondrocyte-alginate constructsConfocal analysis of cytoskeletal organisation within isolated chondrocyte sub-populations cultured in agarose.Intracellular calcium signalling in compressed chondrocyte agarose constructsBeta transition and stress-induced phase separation in the spinning of spider dragline silkChondrocyte deformation within compressed agarose constructs at the cellular and sub-cellular levels.Prize-winning peeks at the microscopic worldResponse of chondrocyte subpopulations cultured within unloaded and loaded agarose.The influence of elaborated pericellular matrix on the deformation of isolated articular chondrocytes cultured in agarose.Measurement of the deformation of isolated chondrocytes in agarose subjected to cyclic compression.Collagen Pre-strain Discontinuity at the Cartilage - Bone InterfaceCD98 is critical for a conserved inflammatory response to diverse injury stimuli relevant to IPF exacerbations and COVID pneumonitisGrants of specific relevance to the Faculty of Science and EngineeringCOaCT - Development of a vascularised muscle-tendon inflammation-on-a-chip model
COaCT - An organ-chip model of inflammation in the canine cartilage-synovium interfaceMicro-manufacturing of tissue patterned organ-chips for accelerated deployment of new medicinesEPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Organ-on-a-Chip Technology (COaCT)Epithelial Exchange Surfaces – From organizing principles to novel culture models of the gatekeepers of the bodyPrecision Musculoskeletal CareIncorporating physical cues in organ-chip modelsHuman synovium-cartilage organ-chip for personalised surgical screeningOrgan-on-a-chip Centre of ExcellenceOrgan-chip Facility: A world-class in vitro models facility for the UK community, reducing the barriers to adoption to drive animal replacementDevelopment of an Organ-on-a-chip model of polycystic kidney disease using CRISPR modified human kidney cell lineProduction of a Human Growth Plate Organ-Chip Model of Skeletal DevelopmentHighthroughput Light Sheet Microscopy: Imaging Across ScalesCorrelating structural and proteomic techniques on cartilageEmulate Organs-on-Chips Centre TechnicianOrgan-on-a-chip model of breast cancer bone metastasesMICA: Organ-on-a-chip models for safety testing of regenerative medicine productsEPSRC Core Equipment CallDoes the biological clock within cartilage align to diurnal patterns in activity?Pharmaceutical modulation of cilia expressionOrgan-on-a-chip technologiesThe effect of cobalt ions on primary cilia in bone cellsMETA-DORM - Mechanobiology of METAstatic and DORMant cancer cells in bone marrow lesionsCollagen Fibrillar Network in Ageing CartilageInnovation Fund: High-throughput Library ScreenOsteoarthritis May Be Treated as an Environmental Ciliopathy
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Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have developed and rigorously qualified a new organ-on-a-chip model that replicates the early stages of breast cancer bone metastasis, offering a promising alternative to animal studies. The microfluidic system brings together osteocytes, osteoclasts and breast cancer cells in a dynamic tri-culture, but its ... [more]
A group of high-profile guests visited Queen Mary's Centre for Predictive In Vitro Models on Tuesday 11th November, to explore the university's cutting-edge organ-on-a-chip facilities. The delegation included musician and animal advocate Will Young, a Director and Toxicologist from Lush cosmetics, and representatives from the charity Animal Aid. The group ... [more]
Bioengineers at Queen Mary University of London, have provided expert comment to the BBC about the new alternatives strategy launched today (11 November) by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Watch Queen Mary experts speak to the BBC about the Government's new alternatives strategy on 11 November from 6.10am. This new ... [more]
Many congratulations to Yu Hu who passed her PhD viva. During her PhD, Yu developed an organ-on-a-chip model of the human coronary artery incorporating endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and circulating immune cells. The organ-chips were subjected to pulsatile dilation and fluid shear stress causing cellular reorganisation as seen in ... [more]
Queen Mary's Centre for Predictive in vitro Models hosted a fastic afternoon of science and bioengineering at the UK organ-on-a-chip Annual Symposium. The event was attended by nearly 300 people, including 100 online, with representatives from academia, industry, Government, charities and other stakeholders. There were flash talks from four talented Early Career ... [more]
It was fantastic to see so many Queen Mary staff and PhD students at the BioMedEng conference in Glasgow following the sucess of last year's conference at Queen Mary. This annual meeting of the BioMedEng Association brings together Biomedical Engineers from industry, academia and the NHS. The conference is the ... [more]
We were delighted to host a visit from the UK Government's Animals in Science Committee and the associated policy unit at the Home Office. The group visited the Queen Mary in vitro models facilities, part of the Centre for Predictive in vitro Models, where we were able to demonstrate some ... [more]
Queen Mary University of London has officially opened one of Europe's largest and most advanced organ-on-a-chip facilities, marking a significant milestone in the efforts to replace animal testing in scientific research. The state-of-the-art facility, supported by major funding from the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals ... [more]
Queen Mary University of London in collaboration with a consortium of leading pharmaceutical companies, organ-chip technology providers, and regulatory bodies, has secured a £1.7 million research grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to develop a groundbreaking approach to drug discovery. Read more
A team of bioengineers led by Professor Hazel Screen have been awarded a £7 million grant to establish an EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Next Generation Organ-on-a-Chip Technologies. Queen Mary University of London is one of sixty-five universities chosen to receive funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research ... [more]
