Force-from-lipids biophysical principle underlying mechanotransduction - EXTERNALLY LED DP20

The major aim of this project is to determine evolutionary conserved physical principles of mechanotransduction inliving cells through structure and function studies of PIEZO mechanoreceptor channels playing a crucial role insenses such as touch and pain in animals and humans. Mutations in these channels can cause numerous geneticdisorders, including hereditary anaemias and joint contractures. Since they have been shown to respond tomechanical stimuli in the same manner as mechanoreceptor channels of organisms from bacteria to humans theintended outcome of this project is to uncover the unifying principles of mechanotransduction anchored in the lawsof physics and chemistry that have guided the force-dependent design of all life forms.