The Kumar Laboratory
Welcome to the home page of the Kumar Laboratory in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of California, Berkeley! 
We address problems in molecular cell dynamics and mechanics, with a focus on understanding how the cellular cytoskeleton governs cellular structure and senses and transduces mechanical inputs from the extracellular environment. We are especially interested in exploring these issues in the nervous system, including neuronal and glial tumors and adult neural stem cells. We take both "inside-out" and "outside-in" approaches, including: (1) Studying and manipulating the microscale assembly and mechanics of cytoskeletal networks in reconstituted and live-cell preparations; and (2) Fabricating extracellular matrices that present defined biophysical cues to cells and determining how these cues influence cell physiology. Our work takes advantage of optical and atomic force microscopy, subcellular laser ablation and photobleaching, microfabrication, traditional biochemical and cell biological methods, and computational tools.
An increasing number of micro- and nanotechnologies either subject cells to mechanical forces, require cells to be patterned into specific spatial arrangements, or both, including a wide variety of MEMS and microfluidic devices and tissue engineering systems. Moreover, many disease states are characterized by altered biophysical crosstalk between cells and their environment. Thus, in addition to building a fundamental understanding of cellular mechanobiology, we envision applying what we learn to contribute to the rational design of cellular biotechnology and to the development of new forms of therapy.
News and Announcements
October 2009: UC Berkeley is awarded a $15.7 million Physical Sciences and Oncology Center Grant from the National Cancer Institute entitled "Fundamental Mechanobiology of Tumor Progression," which will include participation from the Kumar Laboratory. Read the press release here and see the program website here
September 2009: Kandice is awarded a Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Department of Defense. Congratulations, Kandice!
August 2009: Joanna passes her qualifying exam and advances to Ph.D. candidacy. Congratulations, Joanna!
August 2009: Sebastian Rammensee, Ph.D., has joined the lab from the Technische Universitaet Muenchen to start a postdoctoral fellowship by the Human Frontier Science Program. Welcome, Sebastian!
August 2009: Sanjay is featured in the Spanish newspaper El Diario Vasco for his recent visit to TECNUN and CEIT in San Sebastian, Spain. Read the article (en Español) here
July 2009: Sanjay is awarded a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) by President Obama and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy! Read the official press release.
Archive of past news and announcements from the Kumar Lab
Lab Meeting Schedule
Resources for lab members
_________________________________________________________________________________ |
The Kumar Laboratory gratefully acknowledges grant support from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Army Research Office, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, and the UCB Stem Cell Center and Hellman Faculty Fund. We also gratefully acknowledge predoctoral fellowship support from the National Science Foundation and Department of Defense and postdoctoral fellowship support from the DOD Breast Cancer Research Program and the Human Frontier Science Program. |
