Thuan Beng (Malaysian, Penangite) obtained a BSc/Master’s double degree (2013) from the Physics department, National University of Singapore (NUS) and Ecole Polytechnique, France. He did undergraduate research in quantum information and bioengineering problems related to atherosclerosis. During his PhD (Mechanobiology Institute, NUS, 2013 – 2017), he discovered that epithelial layers possess active liquid crystalline properties emerging from adherens junction connections, actomyosin contractility and anisotropic cell shapes. The emergent properties govern YAP transcription factor mechano-transuction, caspase-3-mediated cell apoptosis and extrusion (Saw et al, Nature 2017; best thesis, NUS). Similar organizing principles have since been found in bacterial biofilm formation, mouse hepatocyte organization, and hydra morphogenesis. In 2018, Thuan Beng started to investigate the roles of bioelectric potentials in tissue homeostasis (Lee Kuan Yew Fellowship; Saw et al. Nature Physics 2022). Now, he is pursuing this line of research at Westlake University (Principal Investigator, 2022) and collaborates closely with students and colleagues of different backgrounds.

Transitory/fast-changing bioelectric signals such as action potentials are well known to govern neuronal signal propagation and muscle contraction. Evidence shows that stable bioelectric cues also exist endogenously and can impact biological processes in terms of regeneration, wound healing and growth of non-excitable tissues. Yet, their establishment, working principles, and physiological relevance are still poorly understood. Recently, pioneering works from us and others show that bioelectric potentials can couple with tissue mechanics to influence cell proliferation, death, and architecture of simple tissues in vitro. The lab thus aims to:

1) Investigate physiological functions of Bioelectricity in non-excitable tissue homeostasis

2) Elucidate biophysical and molecular mechanisms governing these functions

3) Study links between Electrophysiology and Mechanobiology

4) Exploit these relations for tissue engineering

Interdisciplinary methods such as molecular/cell/animal biology techniques, advanced optical microscopy/image analysis, microfluidic/microfabricated systems, new biomechanics/bioelectric measurement tools, and physical theories will be developed and used to dissect the problems in a holistic manner.  

*equal contributions, #corresponding authors

sawtb@westlake.edu.cn

We are hiring at all levels, including RAs/Students/Post-docs! We welcome motivated, open-minded, collaborative individuals in Electrophysiology, Mechanobiology, Engineering, Biophysics, and other relevant fields to join us on our exciting journey!