Lab Introduction & Major Research Interests
My researches primarily focus on the fundamental mechanisms and clinical applications of mechanobiology. Specifically, we investigate the effects of hydrostatic pressure and environmental elasticity on cell physiology, how cells remodel the mechanical properties of their environment, and develop tools quantitatively evaluate the mechanics of cell-matrix interactions. Our previous achievements and ongoing projects include: 1) elucidate the role of hydrostatic pressure on cell physiology; 2) evaluate the effects of multiple biophysical and biochemical stimuli on cell physiology; 3) develop a 3D cell culture system that allows quantitatively accessing the mechanics of cell-matrix interactions; and 4) develop clinical tools for treatment and monitoring of the mechanical dysfunction of connective tissues. Recently, we are involved in the neuroscience project regarding the effects of D-amino acid oxidase in motor recovery of stroke patients.
Recent Representative Publication ( * corresponding author)
1. Yu-Chiu Kao, Jhu-Rong Jheng, Huei-Jyuan Pan, Wei-Yu Liao, Chau-Hwang Lee, Po-Ling Kuo* (2017, Feb). Elevated hydrostatic pressure enhances the motility and enlarges the size of the lung cancer cells through aquaporin upregulation mediated by caveolin-1 and ERK1/2 signaling. Oncogene, 36(6):863-874.
2. Po-Ling Kuo, Ching-Che Charng, Po-Chen Wu, Pai-Chi Li (2017, Jan). Shear-wave elasticity measurements of three-dimensional cell cultures for mechanobiology. Journal of Cell Science, 130(1):292-302.
3. Chia-Lun Yeh, Po-Ling Kuo, Jean-Luc Gennisson, Javier Brum, Mickaël Tanter, Pai-Chi Li (2016, Nov). Shear wave measurements for evaluation of tendon diseases. IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, 63(11), 1906-1921.
4. Yu-Chiu Kao, Meng-Hua Hsieh, Chung-Chun Liu, Huei-Jyuan Pan, Wei-Yu Liao, Ji-Yen Cheng, Po-Ling Kuo*, and Chau-Hwang Lee (2014, Mar). Modulating chemotaxis of lung cancer cells by using electric fields in a microfluidic device. Biomicrofluidics, 8(2):024107.
5. Yu-Ren Liou, Wen Torng, Yu-Chiu Kao, 3, Kung-Bin Sung, Chau-Hwang Lee, Po-Ling Kuo* (2014, Feb). Substrate stiffness regulates filopodial activities in lung cancer cells. PLos One, 9(2):e90767.
6. Yu-Ren Liou, Wen Torng, Yu-Chiu Kao, 3, Kung-Bin Sung, Chau-Hwang Lee, Po-Ling Kuo* (2014, Feb). Substrate stiffness regulates filopodial activities in lung cancer cells. PLos One, 9(2):e90767.
7. Po-Ling Kuo, Hyungsuk Lee, Mark-Anthony Bray, Nicholas A. Geisse, Yen-Tsung Huang, William J. Adams, Sean P. Sheehy, Kevin K. Parker (2012, Dec). Myocyte Shape Regulates Lateral Registry of Sarcomeres and Contractility. American Journal of Pathology, 181(6):2030.
8. Anna Grosberg, Po-Ling Kuo., Chin-Lin Guo, Nicholas A. Geisse, Mark-Anthony Bray, William J. Adams, Sean P. Sheehy, Kevin Kit Parker* (2011, Feb). Self-Organization of Muscle Cell Structure and Function. PLos Computational Biology, 7(2): e1001088.