Simran Kaur

My research focuses on the mechanobiology of the nuclear lamina, specifically how its structural constraints influence cellular behavior in cancer and vascular health.

• I helped identify that extracellular matrix stiffness drives nuclear flattening, which creates tension in Lamin A/C. This tension acts as a mechanical switch, facilitating the nuclear localization of YAP, a key regulator of cancer cell growth.
• In endothelial cells, I contributed to findings that show shear stress from blood flow induces nuclear smoothing. Contrary to previous assumptions, we discovered that flow-induced YAP localization is driven by cytoskeletal spreading rather than direct nuclear deformation.
• I explored the physical limits of metastasis by showing that the excess surface area of the nuclear lamina is the critical factor allowing cells to deform and squeeze through tight interstitial spaces.