Kristian Franze University positionProfessor Kristian Franze is pleased to consider applications from prospective PhD students. DepartmentsDepartment of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience Home pagehttp://www.pdn.cam.ac.uk/staff/f... (personal home page) Research ThemesInterestsWe are taking an interdisciplinary approach to investigate how cellular forces, local cell and tissue stiffness and cellular mechanosensitivity contribute to CNS development and disease. Methods we are exploiting include atomic force microscopy, traction force microscopy, custom-built simple and complex compliant cell culture substrates, optogenetics and cell biological techniques.  Muller cells act as living light guides in the vertebrate retina Click image to view full-size Research Focus
EquipmentAtomic force microscopy Calcium imaging Cell culture Confocal microscopy Fluorescence microscopy Microscopy Open laser systems Soft cell culture substrates Traction force microscopy Collaborators
Associated News Items
Key publicationsKoser DE, Moeendarbary E, Hanne J, Kuerten S, Franze K (2015), “CNS cell distribution and axon orientation determine local spinal cord mechanical properties.” Biophys J 108(9):2137-47 Details Moshayedi P, Ng G, Kwok JC, Yeo GS, Bryant CE, Fawcett JW, Franze K, Guck J (2014), “The relationship between glial cell mechanosensitivity and foreign body reactions in the central nervous system.” Biomaterials 35(13):3919-25 Details Pagliara S, Franze K, McClain CR, Wylde GW, Fisher CL, Franklin RJ, Kabla AJ, Keyser UF, Chalut KJ (2014), “Auxetic nuclei in embryonic stem cells exiting pluripotency.” Nat Mater 13(6):638-44 Details Franze K (2013), “The mechanical control of nervous system development.” Development 140(15):3069-77 Details Hardie RC, Franze K (2012), “Photomechanical responses in Drosophila photoreceptors.” Science 338(6104):260-3 Details Betz T, Koch D, Lu YB, Franze K, Käs JA (2011), “Growth cones as soft and weak force generators.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108(33):13420-5 Details |