One of the most prominent, yet often neglected, properties of living matter is its viscoelastic response. In physics and materials science, viscoelasticity plays a central role in engineering design. Only recently have we begun to apply similar principles to understand how living systems function under external mechanical perturbations.
From organisms to cells to molecules, many living systems constantly experience mechanical forces arising from interactions with their environment. By characterising their mechanical response—and classifying them as gel-like, glass-like, or soft solids—we may gain insight into the biological functions they have evolved to perform.
 

In our laboratory, we investigate the mechanics of living matter across multiple scales, including multicellular microorganisms, single cells, and individual molecules. We probe their viscoelastic properties using a spatially resolved technique, the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM).
 

In this talk, I will present our efforts in this direction. Our broader goal is to use mechanical signatures of living matter for therapeutic and/or diagnostic applications.