Lidan You
Fortifying Bone Health
Dr. Lidan You aims to pioneer the development of advanced microtechnologies that will enable the investigation of cellular responses to mechanical cues in their microenvironment with unprecedented detail. These cutting-edge tools will facilitate in-depth studies with greater control and higher throughput, providing valuable insights into cellular behavior and interactions. As the Canada Research Chair in Cell Mechanics and Mechanobiology, Dr. You is exploring the pivotal roles of mechanical forces in the development and progression of musculoskeletal diseases. By dissecting the mechanical underpinnings of these diseases, Dr. You seeks to identify novel pathways for disease prevention and to harness the anabolic effects of mechanical forces to fortify bone health. This approach has the potential to introduce groundbreaking strategies for mitigating musculoskeletal disorders.
Dr. You is also examining the therapeutic potential of activating mechanosensing pathways through chemical and mechanical means. Her research aims to develop innovative and effective treatment approaches for bone disorders by targeting these pathways, potentially reshaping the landscape of bone disease treatments. She utilizes advanced methodologies such as microfluidics, micropatterned surfaces, and novel microfabrication technologies to study bone cell mechanotransduction and develop artificial bone matrices. By focusing on the development of advanced microtechnologies, exploring the roles of mechanical forces in disease, and harnessing mechanosensing pathways for therapeutic benefit, Dr. You鈥檚 work promises to catalyze significant progress in the field of bone mechanobiology.