Biology subjects

Emon, B.

Publications and source records attributed to Emon, B..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Biomechanical 3D tumor models on a micro-milled high-throughput force sensor array

The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in drug resistance, with extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanics, cell-cell crosstalk, and transport barriers contributing to poor therapeutic outcomes. Traditional two-dimensional (2D) cultures fail to capture these features, and drug efficacy in 2D often does not translate to three-dimensional (3D) models or in vivo tumors. Here, we introduce a 3D tumor model integrated with a high- throughput biomechanical sensor array that enables simultaneous measurement of cellular forces, matrix remodeling, and molecular transport. Fabricated using a scalable and cost-effective micro-milling approach, the platform allows parallel generation of multiple tumor constructs within a single dish. Using patient-derived pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) cells and stromal fibroblasts, we show that responses to gemcitabine and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in 3D differ markedly from 2D cultures, consistent with clinical observations. By integrating biochemical and biomechanical readouts, this technology provides a more physiologically relevant tumor model and a powerful tool for preclinical drug testing and personalized medicine.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2024

A fast, muscle-actuated biohybrid swimming robot

The integration of biological actuators with soft scaffolds has led to biohybrid robots including microscale flagellate-like swimmers which generate thrust by waving their flagella-like tails. However, they achieve swimming speeds of only 0.014 body lengths per minute, Reynolds number (Re) [~] 10-3, which is much slower than natural flagellates (O(102 - 103) body lengths per minute). To investigate this, we applied theoretical and experimental methods, including fabrication of a swimmer that converts muscle contractions into large angular tail displacements, reaching swimming speeds of 86.8 m/s (0.58 body lengths per minute), surpassing low-Re predictions. Swimming dynamics sharply transition from a low-Re ([~] 10-3) to an intermediate-Re ([~] 0.1) regime when the actuation angle exceeded 4{degrees}. We used the swimmer to study the ability of muscle to adapt to mechanical stiffness and the beneficial effects of neuromuscular coculture on muscle development. These insights into mechanical and chemical cues will help optimize future biobots. TeaserHow are biological flagellate swimmers like E. coli and sperm cells so fast? We have built a new biohybrid robot to explore the theory.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2023

Synapses without tension fail to fire in an in vitro network of hippocampal neurons.

Neurons in the brain communicate with each other at their synapses. It has long been understood that this communication occurs through biochemical processes. Here, we reveal a previously unrecognized paradigm wherein mechanical tension in neurons is essential for communication. Using in vitro rat hippocampal neurons, we find that (1) neurons become tout/tensed after forming synapses resulting in a contractile neural network, and (2) without this contractility, neurons fail to fire. To measure time evolution of network contractility in 3D (not 2D) extracellular matrix, we developed an ultra-sensitive force sensor with 1 nN resolution. We employed Multi-Electrode Array (MEA) and iGluSnFR, a glutamate sensor, to quantify neuronal firing at the network and at the single synapse scale, respectively. When neuron contractility is relaxed, both techniques show significantly reduced firing. Firing resumes when contractility is restored. Neural contractility may play a crucial role in memory, learning, cognition, and various neuropathologies.

neuroscience↗