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Research Areas

Cell-cell adhesion, microfabrication of controlled environment for cell culture, biophysic of single molecules

Research Interests

Cell-cell adhesion is a fundamental biological process in tissue formation, embryogenesis and cancer development. Our research aims at understanding the physical and biomolecular mechanisms that underlies the formation of cell-cell junction in various conditions. One approach that we have taken is to use model cell systems to understand the dynamics and spatial organization of cadherin during the formation of the junction. We also develop physical approaches to test and measure the influence of mechanical tensions on the structure and dynamics of junction formation. Another approach is to study specific junction such as bile canaliculi formed between primary hepatocytes . Using microfabricated patterns with 3D protein coating we control the dynamics and position of bile canaliculi formation. Performing specifically developed techniques we image in real time the formation of the secretion tube and study how its formation is affected by physical parameters. Building on our experience with 3D protein coating in nano and microtextured environment, we are developing a platform for controlled cell culture, high resolution imaging and high through-put screening capabilities.

Selected Publications

1. Gao X, Acharya BR, Engl WCO, De Mets R, Thiery JP, Yap AS, and Viasnoff V. Probing compression versus stretch activated recruitment of cortical actin and apical junction proteins using mechanical stimulations of suspended doublets. APL Bioeng 2018; 2(2):026111. [PMID: 31069308]

2. Jalal S, Shi S, Acharya V, Huang RY, Viasnoff V, Bershadsky A, and Tee YH. Actin cytoskeleton self-organization in single epithelial cells and fibroblasts under isotropic confinement. J. Cell. Sci. 2019;. [PMID: 30787030]

3. Dasgupta S, Gupta K, Zhang Y, Viasnoff V, and Prost J. Physics of lumen growth. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2018;. [PMID: 29735699]

4. Gao X, Stoecklin C, Zhang Y, Weng Z, De Mets R, Grenci G, and Viasnoff V. Artificial Microniche Array with Spatially Structured Biochemical Cues. Methods Mol. Biol. 2018; 1771:55-66. [PMID: 29633204]

5. Nguyen AT, Mattiassi S, Loeblein M, Chin E, Ma D, Coquet P, Viasnoff V, Teo EHT, Goh EL, and Yim EKF. Human Rett-derived neuronal progenitor cells in 3D graphene scaffold as an in vitro platform to study the effect of electrical stimulation on neuronal differentiation. Biomed Mater 2018; 13(3):034111. [PMID: 29442069]

6. Yap AS, Duszyc K, and Viasnoff V. Mechanosensing and Mechanotransduction at Cell-Cell Junctions. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2017;. [PMID: 28778874]

7. Pontes B, Monzo P, Gole L, Le Roux A, Kosmalska AJ, Tam ZY, Luo W, Kan S, Viasnoff V, Roca-Cusachs P, Tucker-Kellogg L, and Gauthier NC. Membrane tension controls adhesion positioning at the leading edge of cells. J. Cell Biol. 2017;. [PMID: 28687667]

8. Gupta K, Li Q, Fan JJ, Fong ELS, Song Z, Mo S, Tang H, Ng IC, Ng CW, Pawijit P, Zhuo S, Dong C, Low BC, Wee A, Dan YY, Kanchanawong P, So P, Viasnoff V, and Yu H. Actomyosin Contractility Drives Bile Regurgitation as an Early Response During Obstructive Cholestasis. J. Hepatol. 2017;. [PMID: 28189756]

9. Singh AP, Galland R, Finch-Edmondson ML, Grenci G, Sibarita J, Studer V, Viasnoff V, and Saunders TE. 3D Protein Dynamics in the Cell Nucleus. Biophys. J. 2017; 112(1):133-142. [PMID: 28076804]

10. Ruprecht V, Monzo P, Ravasio A, Yue Z, Makhija E, Strale PO, Gauthier N, Shivashankar GV, Studer V, Albiges-Rizo C, and Viasnoff V. How cells respond to environmental cues – insights from bio-functionalized substrates. J. Cell. Sci. 2016;. [PMID: 27856508]