Kristian Franze

Kristian Franze is a Fellow at the University of Cambridge, affiliated with the School of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on brain development, tissue mechanics, axon pathfinding, axon growth, and mechanotransduction. He employs interdisciplinary methods, including atomic force microscopy, traction force microscopy, and optical tweezers, to study how cellular forces and mechanosensitivity influence Central Nervous System development and disease. His work explores the role of local cell and tissue compliance in these processes.

Kristian Franze's research focuses on the mechanobiology of the nervous system, exploring how mechanical forces influence neuronal development, repair, and function. His work investigates mechanosensing in axon growth, the viscoelastic properties of glial and neuronal cells, and the role of tissue stiffness in morphogenesis and aging. Franze also examines the biophysics of neuronal growth, including the mechanical control of nervous system development and the behavior of retinal glial cells under mechanical stress. His studies highlight the interplay between mechanical cues and cellular responses, with implications for understanding neurological disorders and tissue regeneration.