Shape, stiffness and tension are important for understanding your body

Science Stories

Researchers at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, are taking the understanding of cell biology to a new level. Research group leader Alba Diz-Muñoz explains how shape or form, stiffness, rigidity, architecture and tension can make a big difference in your body’s reaction to physiology and disease. It is not only hormone signals, DNA and biochemistry which determine the fate of a cell, an organ, or the whole body. Mechanical parameters have to be taken into consideration to understand why cells react to the environment as they do. Science Journalist Jens Degett is interviewing Alba Diz-Muñoz from the EMBL laboratory in Heidelberg. This podcast is supported by a Maria Leptin / EMBO Science Journalism Fellowship.