Throughout my academic training, I developed a deep fascination with one particular brain cell—the astrocyte, a true “star” of the brain. I became captivated by how geometry and spatial organization influence astrocyte fate and, more broadly, the structural and functional organization of the brain.

Today, in my lab—the CVG Lab—we explore the mechanobiology of the brain, investigating how alterations in spatial and geometrical cues shape cell–cell communication and how variations in available or restricted space drive global brain responses. We study how nuclear and cytoskeletal reorganization enables cells to adapt to their microenvironment, seeking to translate these fundamental insights into design principles for biomaterials that inspire innovative therapeutic strategies for the brain.

Our group brings together a strong interdisciplinary team of engineers, biologists, and physicists, all motivated to uncover mechanistic insights through collaborative projects that support the development of brain therapies and ultimately improve lives.

Key topics of interest include: gliosis, astrocytes, microglia, 3D in vitro models, organoids, assembloids, cell-cell interactions, the extracellular matrix (ECM), syndecans, cytoskeletal organization, nucleoskeletal organization, glioblastoma, brain tumors, and brain mechanobiology.

• Mechanobiology
• Biomaterials