During her PhD studies, Yuge Zhang researched cell mechanics at single cell level via integrating extracellular and intracellular approaches. This dissertation has systematically investigated how extracellular confinement and intracellular force generation collectively regulate cellular dynamics and mechanics. Employing advanced biophysics techniques, a comprehensive framework was established to elucidate cellular mechanical adaptation regulated by ECM micropatterns and intracellular crystals.

The PhD study was completed at Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Friday, 16 January 2026 at 13:00
Place: Building 1593, room 012, iNANO AUD, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center  (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Mechanobiology at Single Cell Level —Regulating Cell Mechanics by Extracellular Micropattern and Intracellular Crystal 
Contact information: Yuge Zhang, e-mail: yuge@inano.au.dk, tel.: +45 50182487
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor David Alsteens, Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium
Professor Raffaele Mezzenga, Materials Department, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Associate Professor Ken Howard (chair), Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor: Professor Mingdong Dong, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Denmark
Co-supervisor: Professor Lar Peter Nielsen, Institute for Biology-microbiology, Aarhus University, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Natural Sciences/GSNS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C