ECM News
Impact of Biomechanical Changes on Skin Aging: Current Advances and Future Perspectives
In November 2025, Dr. Costanza Giampietro was an invited speaker at the 16th International Congress on Skin Ageing in Valencia. She presented on how multiscale skin biomechanics influence fibroblast behavior. Combining mechanical measurements, modeling, and bioreactor experiments, her work showed solid- and liquid-phase cues regulate cellular signaling and gene expression, highlighting potential biomechanical strategies to counteract skin aging.
Congratulations to Raphael Jakob for defending his PhD thesis
Bravo to Raphael Jakob for successfully defending the thesis "Biomechanical analysis of the endothelium" on October 31, 2025! Congratulations and best wishes for your future plans!
Our article on "Collagen hydrogels with similar polymer content but different microstructure – A comparative analysis of mechanical response" is out
Understanding the mechanical properties of collagen hydrogels is essential for successful applications in tissue engineering and 3D cell culture. This study compares the mechanical behavior of two collagen hydrogel sheets with similar collagen content but different microstructures...
ECM receives the gold medal for its sustainability efforts
The ECM laboratory was awarded the gold medal in recognition of the group's dedication to recycling, reducing CO₂ emissions, and implementing sustainable practices.
New article on "Length scales in the tear resistance of soft tissues and elastomers: a comparative study based on computational models" is out
Fracture toughness describes a material’s ability to resist failure in the presence of defects. In case of soft biological tissues, a reliable determination and interpretation of the fracture properties is essential to estimate the risk of fracture after clinical interventions. Here we perform a comparative computational study between soft biological tissues and compliant elastomers to discuss the influence of material non-linearity on the crack tip nearfield...