William Polacheck, associate professor in the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State, has received the Cell and Molecular Bioengineering Young Innovator’s Award from the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), which is a leading professional society for biomedical engineering students, faculty, researchers and industry professionals. Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering is a special interest group within BMES that promotes collaboration for a better understanding of the biology and physical mechanisms that impact medicine. As a part of receiving this ward, William will be featured in the 2024 Young Innovator’s Issue, which is the official journal of BMES.
William was awarded for his work with cells that line blood vessels to sense and respond to blood flow, a process known as mechanotransduction. Changes in blood flow are linked to various cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, and these cells adjust their gene expression based on the flow patterns they encounter. However, the mechanism by which blood flow forces trigger these changes in transcription is not fully understood.
Polacheck Lab graduate student Chloe Whitworth conducted studies investigating P300, a regulator of DNA structure in the nucleus of blood vessel cells. Through these studies, it was revealed that P300 plays a crucial role in both the mechanical properties and gene transcription regulation of the nucleus of blood vessel cells. These findings suggest that the nucleus acts as a mechanical sensor, essential for cells to perceive blood flow forces. This cellular function is essential to maintaining healthy cell physiology as it plays a central role in response to mechanical stress from blood flow changes.
For more information on William Polacheck’s work in mechanotransduction, you can find the project abstract here. Please visit the Polacheck Lab website for more information on their research in microfluidic models of human tissue and work with organs-on-chip.
This article was written by Kathleen Clardy for The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering