Tissue Morpho & Mechanics Lab
(TMML)
Understanding and harnessing the fundamental mechanical principles shaping tissues during development
Welcome to the TMML
Our lab, opening Jan. 2024, focuses on unraveling the fundamental mechanical principles guiding tissue shape formation during embryonic development.
By integrating mechanics, engineering, and developmental cell biology, we aim to decipher the internal and external forces that orchestrate normal development and how deviation from these mechanical blueprints contributes to congenital anomalies. In parallel, our lab is dedicated to pioneering engineering strategies that aim to recreate morphogenetic events across multiple scales, with an eye toward building functional 3D tissues and organs.
We invite you to embark on this journey with us, where science and engineering converge.
Meet Our Team
Shinuo Weng, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Shinuo is the mastermind kicking off our stunning and captivating adventure.
Xiaoyun “Mia” Liu
Incoming Ph.D. Student
Mia joins the lab with a robotics background and prior biomechanics research developing 3D image analysis tools for developing tissues. Her current focus in on advancing computational tools to extract biomechanical insights from imaging data.
Daniel Quinteros
Undergraduate Researcher
Daniel is a BME undergraduate student focused on Cell and Tissue Engineering. He is studying ECM in heart and eye development.
Lawrence Wang
Undergraduate Researcher
Lawrence is an undergraduate student in Molecular and Cellular Biology. He is channeling his passion for biology into all things in the developing processes.
Heather Ostic
Undergraduate Researcher
Heather is a MechE undergraduate student interested in developing medical technologies to advance understanding of complex biological systems. Her current project is to design a special tissue stretching device to emulate interactions in development.
Alejandro Garcia
Undergraduate Researcher
Alejandro is a MechE and CS undergraduate student interested in developing medical devices and models. He is developing a Cellular Potts Model for CE.
Siyang Sun
Undergraduate Researcher
Siyang is an undergraduate student double majoring in Computer Engineering and Applied Math. She is interested in applying Deep Learning and Robotics to solve real scientific problems.
Richard Liong
Undergraduate Researcher
Richard is an undergraduate student in Molecular and Cellular Biology. He is leading a project exploring how environmetnal factors influence the mechanical regulation of development.
The inaugural generation of TMML!!!
You!
If you are into the marvel of nature, mechanics, microscopes, or all that above and beyond, you belong here!