About

Cells and tissues interact with their physical environment, and can sense via mechanical signalling the presence and geometry of external boundaries. A key descriptor of boundary shape is the surface curvature and it has been indeed shown that surface curvature influences cell and tissue behaviour. The processes of growth and remodelling allow these boundaries to be moved and shaped by cells, thus creating a fundamental feedback between the development of form, biological response and the physics of the surrounding environment. Although these ideas go back to the classic work “On Growth and Form” from D’Arcy Thompson, only now do we have tools to investigate these topics in a quantitative and predictive manner.

The main challenge facing scientists working on the role of curvature on Biology, Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Medicine, and Sustainable Materials lies in its inherent interdisciplinary nature. A wide range of skill sets are required to firstly understand how geometric features control behaviour of cells/tissues and then secondly to be able to use this knowledge - for example in the optimisation of the design of implant materials or in the efficient use of biologically sourced materials. Biophysicists, Materials Scientists and Engineers, Biologists, Mathematicians, Clinicians, Architects all have roles to play but have very different backgrounds. A consequence of these differences is that key players in Europe from these fields work in different directions and often have extreme difficulties in communicating with each other. An important challenge of this COST Action will therefore be to bring different actors together and train them in each other’s respective “language” allowing for a more profound exchange of ideas.