Mechano-Genomics in Health and Disease

Abstract

The goal of this course is to provide an introduction to the emerging field of “Mechanobiology and Genomics”.

Objective

"Mechano-genomics" is an emerging discipline that investigates how cells integrate extracellular mechano-chemical signals into the spatial and temporal organization of 3D chromatin, thereby regulating genomic programs through mechanotransduction. This course will highlight the significance of mechano-genomics in influencing cell behavior and fate decisions. We will explore its applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, and discuss how aging impact on key mechano-genomic developmental programs in health and disease.

Content

We will focus on cells and tissues while introducing the major methods used to uncover the principles of mechano-genomics. We will begin by discussing cellular mechanotransduction mechanisms and their role in regulating genomes. This will be followed by an analysis of the mechano-genomic foundations of cellular differentiation, cell-state transitions, and homeostasis. Building on this understanding, we will explore the mechano-genomic basis of cellular aging and its impact on tissue regeneration, including neurodegeneration and musculoskeletal systems. We will also highlight the importance of tissue organoid models in regenerative medicine. Finally, we will cover the broad field of mechano-pathology and the development of cell-state mechano-genomic biomarkers as indicators of tissue homeostasis and disease. Collectively, this course will provide a quantitative framework for understanding mechano-genomic processes at the cellular level and how they intersect with tissue function and disease. Lecture-1: Introduction to the course: forces, signalling and cell behaviour Lecture-2: Methods to engineer and sense mechanobiological processes Lecture-3: Cellular mechanosensing and cytoskeletal remodelling Lecture-4: Nuclear mechanotransduction pathways Lecture-5: Genome organization and regulation Lecture-6: Cell division and genome integrity Lecture-7: Differentiation and developmental programs Lecture-8: Tissue microenvironment and homeostasis Lecture-9: Cellular aging, reprogramming and rejuvenation Lecture-10: Tissue degeneration, regeneration and organoid models Lecture-11: Microbial systems and host-pathogen interactions Lecture-12: Mechano-pathology and cell-state biomarkers Lecture-13: Concluding lecture Lecture-14 slot is reserved for the Final exam in class

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