Collaborative projects 2026 laureates

This project investigates how collective flows emerge from cell-cell interactions on asymmetric micro rails and how these flows can be exploited for cell sorting. In the subconfluent regime (intermediate density), the finite mean free path between encounters makes contact inhibition of locomotion, and in particular collision induced repolarization, a key control mechanism of collective migration. We recently observed a new mode of collective migration driven by asymmetric micro rails leading to robust transverse rectification. To understand this phenomenon, we will perform data driven inference to learn collision rules directly from low density experiments and build stochastic models that disentangle cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions. Coupling theory with experiments on microfabricated substrates, we will design sorting strategies where collective effects amplify subtle mechanical differences between cell types.

   
Collective cell migration of HBECs on a micro-patterned substrate with ratchet rails.
Migration is parallel to the rails at low density and perpendicular at intermediate density. Arrows: migration directions (representative subset); rails not to scale.

More information to come