Margaret Gardel

Director of JFI
Professor of Physics

Margaret Gardel
Address:
GCIS E233
Phone:
(773) 834-5871
Email:
gardel@uchicago.edu
Visit the Group
http://squishycell.uchicago.edu/

Research

My research interests focus on understanding the mechanics and dynamics of materials constructed out of mechanochemically active proteins. Specifically, our group works on classes of materials that form the ”skeleton” of living cells and regulate cell shape, adhesion, migration, division, and morphogenesis. We are interested in how these physical properties inform the biophysical regulation of cell physiology as well as the fundamental design principles used to build matter far from thermodynamic equilibrium.

Topics: Cell Adhesion, Cell Migration, Active Matter, Confocal Microscopy, Rheology