Section on Mechanics and Tissue Remodeling Integrating Computational & Experimental Systems (MATRICES)

The Section on Mechanics and Tissue Remodeling Integrating Computational & Experimental Systems (MATRICES) studies the transition of tissue from healthy to a diseased state and the underlying mechanisms driving disease progression. Of particular interest are enzymes known as proteases, which degrade extracellular matrices and other proteins. The MATRICES Lab seeks to reveal opportunities for new diagnostics and therapeutics for sickle cell disease, cancer metastasis, orthopedic diseases and other conditions. To accomplish these goals, we employ both experimental and computational approaches including label-free MRI, mechanical testing, computational modeling and analysis of gene and protein expression. Through ongoing collaborations, we aim to develop and deploy technologies in low resource settings, with a focus on diseases related to health disparities in the U.S. and around the globe.