Active Matter in Complex Environments

One of the key facets of developmental and evolutionary biology is the evolution of cell motility. Thus, the identification and comprehension of the physico-chemical mechanisms governing the motility of cells in both plants and animals as a response to external variables is of paramount importance. Through experiments on representative cells and organisms, and associated theoretical modeling, this project will elucidate the foundational mechanisms responsible for cell motility and its role in the emergence of multicellularity.