Network Highlights

Mechanobiology and cellular biophysics

Key strengths, technologies, know-how

• Cell biophysics
• Cell mechanics
• Cell migration
• Atomic Force Microscopy
• Traction force microscopy
• Cell morphometrics
• Image processing and quantification

Applications

• Disease diagnostic
• Real-time tracking of cell behavior
• Mechanotomograpy (3D mechanical characterization)
• Cancer and inflammation
• Hearing research

Selective research achievements

• Number of papers = 16
• H-index = 11
• Main Grants = Marie Curie CIG

Publications

Publications of specific relevance to Bioengineering Research

2023

Meng H, Fu S, Ferreira MB, Hou Y, Pearce OM, Gavara N and Knight MM (2023). YAP activation inhibits inflammatory signalling and cartilage breakdown associated with reduced primary cilia expression. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage  vol. 31, (5) 600-612. 10.1016/j.joca.2022.11.001

Narciso M, Martínez Á, Júnior C, Díaz-Valdivia N, Ulldemolins A, Berardi M, Neal K, Navajas D, Farré R, Alcaraz J, Almendros I and Gavara N (2023). Lung Micrometastases Display ECM Depletion and Softening While Macrometastases Are 30-Fold Stiffer and Enriched in Fibronectin. Cancers  vol. 15, (8) 10.3390/cancers15082404

Jurado A, Ulldemolins A, Lluís H, Gasull X, Gavara N, Sunyer R, Otero J, Gozal D, Almendros I and Farré R (2023). Fast cycling of intermittent hypoxia in a physiomimetic 3D environment: A novel tool for the study of the parenchymal effects of sleep apnea. Frontiers in Pharmacology  vol. 13, 10.3389/fphar.2022.1081345

Júnior C, Ulldemolins A, Narciso M, Almendros I, Farré R, Navajas D, López J, Eroles M, Rico F and Gavara N (2023). Multi-Step Extracellular Matrix Remodelling and Stiffening in the Development of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences  vol. 24, (2) 10.3390/ijms24021708

2022

Narciso M, Ulldemolins A, Júnior C, Otero J, Navajas D, Farré R, Gavara N and Almendros I (2022). A Fast and Efficient Decellularization Method for Tissue Slices. Bio-Protocol  vol. 12, (22) 10.21769/BioProtoc.4550

Ulldemolins A, Jurado A, Herranz-Diez C, Gavara N, Otero J, Farré R and Almendros I (2022). Lung Extracellular Matrix Hydrogels-Derived Vesicles Contribute to Epithelial Lung Repair. Polymers  vol. 14, (22) 10.3390/polym14224907

Marhuenda E, Villarino A, Narciso M, Elowsson L, Almendros I, Westergren-Thorsson G, Farré R, Gavara N and Otero J (2022). Development of a physiomimetic model of acute respiratory distress syndrome by using ECM hydrogels and organ-on-a-chip devices. Frontiers in Pharmacology  vol. 13, 10.3389/fphar.2022.945134

Marhuenda E, Villarino A, Narciso ML, Camprubí-Rimblas M, Farré R, Gavara N, Artigas A, Almendros I and Otero J (2022). Lung Extracellular Matrix Hydrogels Enhance Preservation of Type II Phenotype in Primary Alveolar Epithelial Cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences  vol. 23, (9) 10.3390/ijms23094888

Narciso M, Ulldemolins A, Júnior C, Otero J, Navajas D, Farré R, Gavara N and Almendros I (2022). Novel Decellularization Method for Tissue Slices. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology  vol. 10, 10.3389/fbioe.2022.832178

Murray ER, Menezes S, Henry JC, Williams JL, Alba-Castellón L, Baskaran P, Quétier I, Desai A, Marshall JJT, Rosewell I, Tatari M, Rajeeve V, Khan F, Wang J, Kotantaki P, Tyler EJ, Singh N, Reader CS, Carter EP, Hodivala-Dilke K and Gro (2022). Disruption of pancreatic stellate cell myofibroblast phenotype promotes pancreatic tumor invasion. Cell Reports  vol. 38, (4) 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110227

2021

Júnior C, Narciso M, Marhuenda E, Almendros I, Farré R, Navajas D, Otero J and Gavara N (2021). Baseline stiffness modulates the non-linear response to stretch of the extracellular matrix in pulmonary fibrosis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences  vol. 22, (23) 10.3390/ijms222312928

Narciso M, Otero J, Navajas D, Farré R, Almendros I and Gavara N (2021). Image-based method to quantify decellularization of tissue sections. International Journal of Molecular Sciences  vol. 22, (16) 10.3390/ijms22168399

Connelly JT, Gavara N, Sliogeryte K and Blowes LM (2021). Research Techniques Made Simple: Analysis of Skin Cell and Tissue Mechanics Using Atomic Force Microscopy. Journal of Investigative Dermatology  vol. 141, (8) 1867-1871.e1. 10.1016/j.jid.2021.02.750

Meng H, Chowdhury TT and Gavara N (2021). The Mechanical Interplay Between Differentiating Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Gelatin-Based Substrates Measured by Atomic Force Microscopy. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology  vol. 9, 10.3389/fcell.2021.697525

Ho-Plágaro T, Huertas R, Tamayo-Navarrete MI, Blancaflor E, Gavara N and García-Garrido JM (2021). A Novel Putative Microtubule-Associated Protein Is Involved in Arbuscule Development during Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Formation. Plant and Cell Physiology  vol. 62, (2) 306-320. 10.1093/pcp/pcaa159

Laly AC, Sliogeryte K, Pundel OJ, Ross R, Keeling MC, Avisetti D, Waseem A, Gavara N and Connelly JT (2021). The keratin network of intermediate filaments regulates keratinocyte rigidity sensing and nuclear mechanotransduction. Science Advances  vol. 7, (5) 10.1126/sciadv.abd6187

2020

Keeling MC and Gavara N (2020). Withaferin-a can be used to modulate the keratin network of intermediate filaments in human epidermal keratinocytes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences  vol. 21, (12) 1-11. 10.3390/ijms21124450

Zhang , Flores , Keeling , Sliogeryte and Gavara (2020). Ezrin Phosphorylation at T567 Modulates Cell Migration, Mechanical Properties, and Cytoskeletal Organization. Mdpi Ag  International Journal of Molecular Sciences  vol. 21, (2) 435-435. 10.3390/ijms21020435

2019

Flores LR, Keeling MC, Zhang X, Sliogeryte K and Gavara N (2019). Author Correction: Lifeact-TagGFP2 alters F-actin organization, cellular morphology and biophysical behaviour (Scientific Reports, (2019), 9, 1, (3241), 10.1038/s41598-019-40092-w). Scientific Reports  vol. 9, (1) 10.1038/s41598-019-45276-y

Gavara N and Sliogeryte K (2019). Vimentin plays a crucial role in fibroblast ageing by regulating biophysical properties and cell migration. Mdpi Ag  Cells  10.3390/cells8101164

GAVARA N, Flores L, KEELING M, ZHANG X and SLIOGERYTE K (2019). Lifeact-GFP alters F-actin organization, cellular morphology and biophysical behaviour. Nature Publishing Group  Scientific Reports  10.1038/s41598-019-40092-w

2018

Xu J, Nyga A, Li W, Zhang X, Gavara N, Knight MM and Shelton JC (2018). Cobalt ions stimulate a fibrotic response through matrix remodelling, fibroblast contraction and release of pro-fibrotic signals from macrophages. European Cells and Materials  vol. 36, 142-155. 10.22203/eCM.v036a11

Gonzalez-Molina J, Zhang X, Borghesan M, Mendonça da Silva J, Awan M, Fuller B, Gavara N and Selden C (2018). Extracellular fluid viscosity enhances liver cancer cell mechanosensing and migration. Biomaterials  vol. 177, 113-124. 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.05.058

2017

Keeling MC, Flores LR, Dodhy AH, Murray ER and Gavara N (2017). Actomyosin and vimentin cytoskeletal networks regulate nuclear shape, mechanics and chromatin organization. Scientific Reports  vol. 7, (1) 10.1038/s41598-017-05467-x

MATA A, Azevedo HS, Botto L, Gavara N and Su L (2017). New Bioengineering Breakthroughs and Enabling Tools in Regenerative Medicine. Current Stem Cell Reports  10.1007/s40778-017-0081-9

Gavara N (2017). A beginner's guide to atomic force microscopy probing for cell mechanics. Microscopy Research and Technique  vol. 80, (1) 75-84. 10.1002/jemt.22776

2016

Akhtar R, Graham HK, Derby B, Sherratt MJ, Trafford AW, Chadwick RS and Gavara N (2016). Frequency-modulated atomic force microscopy localises viscoelastic remodelling in the ageing sheep aorta. Journal of The Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials  vol. 64, 10-17. 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2016.07.018

Gavara N (2016). Combined strategies for optimal detection of the contact point in AFM force-indentation curves obtained on thin samples and adherent cells. Scientific Reports  vol. 6, 10.1038/srep21267

Sliogeryte K, Thorpe SD, Wang Z, Thompson CL, Gavara N and Knight MM (2016). Differential effects of LifeAct-GFP and actin-GFP on cell mechanics assessed using micropipette aspiration. Elsevier  Journal of Biomechanics  vol. 49, (2) 310-317. 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.12.034

2015

Mao X, Gavara N and Song G (2015). Nuclear Mechanics and Stem Cell Differentiation. Stem Cell Reviews and Reports  vol. 11, (6) 804-812. 10.1007/s12015-015-9610-z

Gavara N and Chadwick RS (2015). Relationship between cell stiffness and stress fiber amount, assessed by simultaneous atomic force microscopy and live-cell fluorescence imaging. Biomech Model Mechanobiol  vol. 15, (3) 511-523. 10.1007/s10237-015-0706-9

2013

Szarama KB, Gavara N, Petralia RS, Chadwick RS and Kelley MW (2013). Thyroid hormone increases fibroblast growth factor receptor expression and disrupts cell mechanics in the developing organ of corti. Bmc Dev Biol  vol. 13, 10.1186/1471-213X-13-6

2012

Szarama KB, Stepanyan R, Petralia RS, Gavara N, Frolenkov GI, Kelley MW and Chadwick RS (2012). Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 regulates microtubule formation and cell surface mechanical properties in the developing organ of Corti. Bioarchitecture  vol. 2, (6)

Szarama KB, Gavara N, Petralia RS, Kelley MW and Chadwick RS (2012). Cytoskeletal changes in actin and microtubules underlie the developing surface mechanical properties of sensory and supporting cells in the mouse cochlea. Journal of Cell Science  vol. 125, (13) e1-e1. 10.1242/jcs.114603

Szarama KB, Gavara N, Petralia RS, Kelley MW and Chadwick RS (2012). Cytoskeletal changes in actin and microtubules underlie the developing surface mechanical properties of sensory and supporting cells in the mouse cochlea. Development (Cambridge)  vol. 139, (12) 2187-2197. 10.1242/dev.073734

Petrie RJ, Gavara N, Chadwick RS and Yamada KM (2012). Nonpolarized signaling reveals two distinct modes of 3D cell migration. Journal of Cell Biology  vol. 197, (3) 439-455. 10.1083/jcb.201201124

Szarama KB, Stepanyan R, Petralia RS, Gavara N, Frolenkov GI, Kelley MW and Chadwick RS (2012). Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 regulates microtubule formation and cell surface mechanical properties in the developing organ of Corti. Bioarchitecture  vol. 2, (6) 214-219. 10.4161/bioa.22332

Gavara N and Chadwick RS (2012). Determination of the elastic moduli of thin samples and adherent cells using conical atomic force microscope tips. Nature Nanotechnology  vol. 7, (11) 733-736. 10.1038/nnano.2012.163

2011

Gavara N, Manoussaki D and Chadwick RS (2011). Auditory mechanics of the tectorial membrane and the cochlear spiral. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg  vol. 19, (5) 382-387. 10.1097/MOO.0b013e32834a5bc9

2010

Gavara N and Chadwick RS (2010). Noncontact microrheology at acoustic frequencies using frequency-modulated atomic force microscopy. Nature Methods  vol. 7, (8) 650-654. 10.1038/nmeth.1474

Cortijo J, Milara J, Mata M, Donet E, Gavara N, Peel SE, Hall IP and Morcillo EJ (2010). Nickel induces intracellular calcium mobilization and pathophysiological responses in human cultured airway epithelial cells. Chem Biol Interact  vol. 183, (1) 25-33. 10.1016/j.cbi.2009.09.011

2009

Puig F, Gavara N, Sunyer R, Carreras A, Farré R and Navajas D (2009). Stiffening and contraction induced by dexamethasone in alveolar epithelial cells. Experimental Mechanics  vol. 49, (1) 47-55. 10.1007/s11340-007-9072-6

Gavara N and Chadwick RS (2009). Collagen-based mechanical anisotropy of the tectorial membrane: implications for inter-row coupling of outer hair cell bundles. Plos One  vol. 4, (3) 10.1371/journal.pone.0004877

2008

Gavara N, Roca-Cusachs P, Sunyer R, Farré R and Navajas D (2008). Mapping cell-matrix stresses during stretch reveals inelastic reorganization of the cytoskeleton. Biophys J  vol. 95, (1) 464-471. 10.1529/biophysj.107.124180

Abad E, Lorente G, Gavara N, Morales M, Gual A and Gasull X (2008). Activation of store-operated Ca(2+) channels in trabecular meshwork cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci  vol. 49, (2) 677-686. 10.1167/iovs.07-1080

2006

Roca-Cusachs P, Almendros I, Sunyer R, Gavara N, Farré R and Navajas D (2006). Rheology of passive and adhesion-activated neutrophils probed by atomic force microscopy. Biophys J  vol. 91, (9) 3508-3518. 10.1529/biophysj.106.088831

Gavara N, Sunyer R, Roca-Cusachs P, Farré R, Rotger M and Navajas D (2006). Thrombin-induced contraction in alveolar epithelial cells probed by traction microscopy. J Appl Physiol (1985)  vol. 101, (2) 512-520. 10.1152/japplphysiol.00185.2006

Trepat X, Puig F, Gavara N, Fredberg JJ, Farre R and Navajas D (2006). Effect of stretch on structural integrity and micromechanics of human alveolar epithelial cell monolayers exposed to thrombin. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol  vol. 290, (6) L1104-L1110. 10.1152/ajplung.00436.2005

Puig F, Gavara N, Sunyer R, Navajas D and Farré R (2006). Dexamethasone induces stiffening of alveolar epithelial cells. Journal of Biomechanics  vol. 39, s593-s594. 10.1016/s0021-9290(06)85461-8

Gavara N, Puig F, Sunyer R, Farré R and Navajas D (2006). Effects of dexamethasone in contraction of alveolar epithelial cells. Journal of Biomechanics  vol. 39, 10.1016/s0021-9290(06)85415-1

2005

Rico F, Roca-Cusachs P, Gavara N, Farré R, Rotger M and Navajas D (2005). Probing mechanical properties of living cells by atomic force microscopy with blunted pyramidal cantilever tips. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys  vol. 72, (2 Pt 1) 10.1103/PhysRevE.72.021914

Rico F, Roca-Cusachs P, Gavara N, Farré R, Rotger M and Navajas D (2005). Probing mechanical properties of living cells by atomic force microscopy with blunted pyramidal cantilever tips. Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics  vol. 72, (2) 10.1103/PhysRevE.72.021914

Grants

Grants of specific relevance to Bioengineering Research

Interaction between sensory and supporting cells in the organ of Corti: basis for sensitivity and frequency selectivity of mammalian cochlea.
Gavara N
£32,000 Medical Research Council (01-09-2015 - 31-08-2020)

Interaction between sensory and supporting cells in the organ of Corti: basis for sensitivity and frequency selectivity of mammalian cochlea.
Lukashkin AN, Burwood GWS, Elliott S, Gavara N, Levic S, Lukashkina V, Ni G, Russell IJ and Zuo J
£1,564,907 Medical Research Council (31-08-2015 - 30-08-2020)

Summary

Multiscale nuclear mechanobiology within the skin: from biophysical cues to epigenetic effects
Connelly JT and Gavara N
£469,683 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (01-05-2017 - 30-04-2020)

Summary

Mechno-regulation of genome function to direct stem cell fate
Lee DA and Gavara N
£436,193 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (01-01-2017 - 31-12-2019)

Summary

CSK Fingerprints
Gavara N
EUR100,000 European Commission (01-05-2014 - 01-05-2018)

Effect of cell age on cell migration and cytoskeletal reorganisation
Gavara N
£74,930 Dunhill Medical Trust (24-10-2016 - 23-04-2018)

Summary

Effect of cell age on cell migration and cytoskeletal reorganization
Gavara N
£75,000 Dunhill Medical Trust (01-04-2016 - 01-10-2017)