Finnish cell biologist reveals how mechanical forces shape gene activity
Sara Wickström, director at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, showed that cells sense physical forces in their surroundings, which can remodel DNA packaging and alter gene expression.
In a series of experiments, Sara Wickström proved that cells do not rely solely on chemical signals; they also detect mechanical properties of their environment, which influence the arrangement of DNA inside the nucleus. By applying forces to skin stem cells, she observed a broad reconfiguration of chromatin that drives distinct gene programs, a finding that helped launch mechanobiology as a discipline. The discovery earned her the prestigious Körber Prize, which includes a €1 million award.
Wickström highlighted the relevance of tissue stiffness in aging skin, heart injury, and tumor growth, noting that altered mechanics can reprogram cells toward disease states. Her team is pursuing diagnostic biomarkers based on mechanical responses and investigating drug strategies to modulate force-driven gene regulation. A spin-off company is already working to translate these biomarkers into clinical use.
Why it matters
Understanding how physical forces control genes could lead to new ways to diagnose and treat diseases like cancer and fibrosis.
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