Exploring Brain Mechanics
@ebmresearch.bsky.social
Official account of the Collaborative Research Center (CRC 1540) Exploring Brain 🧠 Mechanics funded by @dfgpublic.bsky.social
@fau.de
Charité Berlin
Universität Bonn
MPI Light
Homepage: https://www.crc1540-ebm.research.fau.eu/
@fau.de
Charité Berlin
Universität Bonn
MPI Light
Homepage: https://www.crc1540-ebm.research.fau.eu/
✨Happy New Year from the EBM community! ✨
Thank you to all our members and partners for a year of inspiring research, collaboration, and exchange. We wish you a successful, healthy, and innovative year ahead and look forward to continuing our work together in 2026.
Thank you to all our members and partners for a year of inspiring research, collaboration, and exchange. We wish you a successful, healthy, and innovative year ahead and look forward to continuing our work together in 2026.
January 9, 2026 at 11:42 AM
✨Happy New Year from the EBM community! ✨
Thank you to all our members and partners for a year of inspiring research, collaboration, and exchange. We wish you a successful, healthy, and innovative year ahead and look forward to continuing our work together in 2026.
Thank you to all our members and partners for a year of inspiring research, collaboration, and exchange. We wish you a successful, healthy, and innovative year ahead and look forward to continuing our work together in 2026.
In project C02, cortical neurons are infected with a virus expressing green fluorescent protein and grown on hydrogels with different mechanical properties. The morphology of dendritic spines is then quantified to monitor the effect of mechanics on neuronal plasticity.
December 12, 2025 at 11:28 AM
In project C02, cortical neurons are infected with a virus expressing green fluorescent protein and grown on hydrogels with different mechanical properties. The morphology of dendritic spines is then quantified to monitor the effect of mechanics on neuronal plasticity.
Joint lab shadowing at FAU’s Institute of Continuum Mechanics and Biomechanics 🔬
Michael Tranchina (A04), Oskar Neumann (B01), and Majahonkhe Shabangu (UCT) worked together on mechanical testing of mature brain organoids and first mapping trials on spheroids. Great insights for CRC 1540!
Michael Tranchina (A04), Oskar Neumann (B01), and Majahonkhe Shabangu (UCT) worked together on mechanical testing of mature brain organoids and first mapping trials on spheroids. Great insights for CRC 1540!
December 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Joint lab shadowing at FAU’s Institute of Continuum Mechanics and Biomechanics 🔬
Michael Tranchina (A04), Oskar Neumann (B01), and Majahonkhe Shabangu (UCT) worked together on mechanical testing of mature brain organoids and first mapping trials on spheroids. Great insights for CRC 1540!
Michael Tranchina (A04), Oskar Neumann (B01), and Majahonkhe Shabangu (UCT) worked together on mechanical testing of mature brain organoids and first mapping trials on spheroids. Great insights for CRC 1540!
EBM Virtual Brain Talk - Prof. Ingmar Blümcke
📅 08.12.2025
⏰ 4:00 PM (CEST)
💻 Online via Zoom
📩 To receive the Zoom link, contact EBM coordinator Andrea Dakkouri-Baldauf at [email protected].
📅 08.12.2025
⏰ 4:00 PM (CEST)
💻 Online via Zoom
📩 To receive the Zoom link, contact EBM coordinator Andrea Dakkouri-Baldauf at [email protected].
November 28, 2025 at 11:49 AM
EBM Virtual Brain Talk - Prof. Ingmar Blümcke
📅 08.12.2025
⏰ 4:00 PM (CEST)
💻 Online via Zoom
📩 To receive the Zoom link, contact EBM coordinator Andrea Dakkouri-Baldauf at [email protected].
📅 08.12.2025
⏰ 4:00 PM (CEST)
💻 Online via Zoom
📩 To receive the Zoom link, contact EBM coordinator Andrea Dakkouri-Baldauf at [email protected].
🧠 EBM spokesperson Prof. Paul Steinmann represented CRC 1540 EBM at MECOM 2025 in Buenos Aires (11-14 November), where he delivered a main lecture titled: "From the Cellular via the Tissue to the Organ Level. A Journey Exploring Brain Mechanics".
November 21, 2025 at 11:18 AM
🧠 EBM spokesperson Prof. Paul Steinmann represented CRC 1540 EBM at MECOM 2025 in Buenos Aires (11-14 November), where he delivered a main lecture titled: "From the Cellular via the Tissue to the Organ Level. A Journey Exploring Brain Mechanics".
🧠 The EBM community gathered in Muggendorf for our 2025 Annual Retreat - two days of scientific exchange, collaboration, and new ideas.
Researchers and PIs shared progress, explored future directions, and strengthened connections across projects.
Researchers and PIs shared progress, explored future directions, and strengthened connections across projects.
November 14, 2025 at 11:21 AM
🧠 The EBM community gathered in Muggendorf for our 2025 Annual Retreat - two days of scientific exchange, collaboration, and new ideas.
Researchers and PIs shared progress, explored future directions, and strengthened connections across projects.
Researchers and PIs shared progress, explored future directions, and strengthened connections across projects.
On October 13th, EBM Spokesperson Paul Steinmann led a hands-on workshop on stiffness and viscosity. Participants explored force, strain, and stress using rubber bands, springs, and even a gummy-bear brain, making complex concepts tangible.
November 7, 2025 at 11:07 AM
On October 13th, EBM Spokesperson Paul Steinmann led a hands-on workshop on stiffness and viscosity. Participants explored force, strain, and stress using rubber bands, springs, and even a gummy-bear brain, making complex concepts tangible.
What a night at the Long Night of Sciences 2025!
EBM and BRAINIACS group welcomed visitors at the Brain Lounge to explore how mechanics shapes the brain - from real human tissue to 3D printing and MRE. At the department of neurosurgery, visitors were guided trough the MEG lab.
EBM and BRAINIACS group welcomed visitors at the Brain Lounge to explore how mechanics shapes the brain - from real human tissue to 3D printing and MRE. At the department of neurosurgery, visitors were guided trough the MEG lab.
October 31, 2025 at 12:36 PM
What a night at the Long Night of Sciences 2025!
EBM and BRAINIACS group welcomed visitors at the Brain Lounge to explore how mechanics shapes the brain - from real human tissue to 3D printing and MRE. At the department of neurosurgery, visitors were guided trough the MEG lab.
EBM and BRAINIACS group welcomed visitors at the Brain Lounge to explore how mechanics shapes the brain - from real human tissue to 3D printing and MRE. At the department of neurosurgery, visitors were guided trough the MEG lab.
EBM at the Long Night of Science 2025 - Discover Brain Mechanics! 🧠 #NdW25
📅 25.10.2025 from 17:00 - 0:00
📍Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin; Kussmaulallee 2 in 91054 Erlangen
📅 25.10.2025 from 17:00 - 0:00
📍Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin; Kussmaulallee 2 in 91054 Erlangen
October 21, 2025 at 3:59 AM
EBM at the Long Night of Science 2025 - Discover Brain Mechanics! 🧠 #NdW25
📅 25.10.2025 from 17:00 - 0:00
📍Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin; Kussmaulallee 2 in 91054 Erlangen
📅 25.10.2025 from 17:00 - 0:00
📍Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin; Kussmaulallee 2 in 91054 Erlangen
🧠 The International EBM Symposium 2025 was held on Sept 30 - Oct 1, 2025, at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen.
October 17, 2025 at 2:12 PM
🧠 The International EBM Symposium 2025 was held on Sept 30 - Oct 1, 2025, at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen.
☀️ On Sept 28, EBM members & families met at the Entlas-Keller in Erlangen. Sunshine, Franconian food, and good company made for a relaxed afternoon to reconnect after summer and recharge before the busy months ahead. Thanks to all who came by! 🍻
October 2, 2025 at 11:40 AM
☀️ On Sept 28, EBM members & families met at the Entlas-Keller in Erlangen. Sunshine, Franconian food, and good company made for a relaxed afternoon to reconnect after summer and recharge before the busy months ahead. Thanks to all who came by! 🍻
At the 15th EBM (Post)Doctoral Researchers' seminar on September 18th, two projects were presented.
🧠 Stefan Rampp (A02) presented how cortical malformations can be characterized by neuroimaging and linking these findings to brain tissue mechanics.
🧠 Stefan Rampp (A02) presented how cortical malformations can be characterized by neuroimaging and linking these findings to brain tissue mechanics.
September 29, 2025 at 3:59 AM
At the 15th EBM (Post)Doctoral Researchers' seminar on September 18th, two projects were presented.
🧠 Stefan Rampp (A02) presented how cortical malformations can be characterized by neuroimaging and linking these findings to brain tissue mechanics.
🧠 Stefan Rampp (A02) presented how cortical malformations can be characterized by neuroimaging and linking these findings to brain tissue mechanics.
We are proud to announce that our PI, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini, has received the prestigious George Winter Award from the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB), honoring pioneers whose work has made lasting contributions to biomaterials.
September 19, 2025 at 10:27 AM
We are proud to announce that our PI, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini, has received the prestigious George Winter Award from the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB), honoring pioneers whose work has made lasting contributions to biomaterials.
Upcoming EBM Virtual Brain Talk 🧠
We are excited to announce our next virtual brain talk:
"There and back again - The translational journey in modern Neurosurgery"
Speaker: Prof. Dr.med. Oliver Schnell (UKER, Germany)
📅 22.09.2025
⏰ 4:00 PM (CEST)
💻 Online via Zoom
We are excited to announce our next virtual brain talk:
"There and back again - The translational journey in modern Neurosurgery"
Speaker: Prof. Dr.med. Oliver Schnell (UKER, Germany)
📅 22.09.2025
⏰ 4:00 PM (CEST)
💻 Online via Zoom
September 15, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Upcoming EBM Virtual Brain Talk 🧠
We are excited to announce our next virtual brain talk:
"There and back again - The translational journey in modern Neurosurgery"
Speaker: Prof. Dr.med. Oliver Schnell (UKER, Germany)
📅 22.09.2025
⏰ 4:00 PM (CEST)
💻 Online via Zoom
We are excited to announce our next virtual brain talk:
"There and back again - The translational journey in modern Neurosurgery"
Speaker: Prof. Dr.med. Oliver Schnell (UKER, Germany)
📅 22.09.2025
⏰ 4:00 PM (CEST)
💻 Online via Zoom
In our project C01, we proposed a nonlinear continuum mechanics framework to model the physics of cellular aggregate formation.
September 12, 2025 at 11:50 AM
In our project C01, we proposed a nonlinear continuum mechanics framework to model the physics of cellular aggregate formation.
Using genetic manipulations, project B05 investigates a link between the mechanical and biochemical properties of spinal cord lesions and axon regeneration in zebrafish.
September 5, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Using genetic manipulations, project B05 investigates a link between the mechanical and biochemical properties of spinal cord lesions and axon regeneration in zebrafish.
In project B04, we study the impact of mechanobiology on the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS). The mechanosensory ion channel Piezo1 (red) is upregulated on astrocytes (green) in a mouse model of MS.
August 29, 2025 at 12:16 PM
In project B04, we study the impact of mechanobiology on the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS). The mechanosensory ion channel Piezo1 (red) is upregulated on astrocytes (green) in a mouse model of MS.
B03 aims to investigate the mechanical phenotype of the central nervous system (CNS) at the cellular and tissue-wide levels following targeted manipulations, utilizing in vivo and in vitro models.
August 25, 2025 at 5:14 AM
B03 aims to investigate the mechanical phenotype of the central nervous system (CNS) at the cellular and tissue-wide levels following targeted manipulations, utilizing in vivo and in vitro models.
B02 focuses on understanding the mechanical properties of the spinal cord in Xenopus laevis using advanced techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Brillouin microscopy.
August 15, 2025 at 9:33 AM
B02 focuses on understanding the mechanical properties of the spinal cord in Xenopus laevis using advanced techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Brillouin microscopy.
🧠 A new exciting paper from our EBM scientists: In this study, a brain phantom material was characterized in the time domain using a rheometer in the mid-frequency range at a vibration table and in the high-frequency range with tabletop magnetic resonance elastography.
August 8, 2025 at 11:09 AM
🧠 A new exciting paper from our EBM scientists: In this study, a brain phantom material was characterized in the time domain using a rheometer in the mid-frequency range at a vibration table and in the high-frequency range with tabletop magnetic resonance elastography.
Project B01 aims to understand the complex mechanical signature of spinal cord tissue before and after injury to develop continuum models that simulate the process of successful regeneration.
August 1, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Project B01 aims to understand the complex mechanical signature of spinal cord tissue before and after injury to develop continuum models that simulate the process of successful regeneration.
In vivo model to study the mechanics of developmental brain disorders: Project A05 investigates how specific somatic mutations affect the mechanical properties of developing brain tissue.
July 25, 2025 at 9:36 AM
In vivo model to study the mechanics of developmental brain disorders: Project A05 investigates how specific somatic mutations affect the mechanical properties of developing brain tissue.
🧠On June 26, 2025, a hands-on workshop led by Renato Frischknecht explored the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuronal plasticity. From theory to live cell culture demos and fluorescence imaging,participants gained deep insight into how neurons adapt and learn. #Neuroscience#NeuronalPlasticity
July 18, 2025 at 11:09 AM
🧠On June 26, 2025, a hands-on workshop led by Renato Frischknecht explored the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuronal plasticity. From theory to live cell culture demos and fluorescence imaging,participants gained deep insight into how neurons adapt and learn. #Neuroscience#NeuronalPlasticity
📢 Regular Registration Open – EBM Symposium 2025
There’s still time to register for the Exploring Brain Mechanics Symposium 2025, taking place from September 30 to October 1, 2025, at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen, Germany.
There’s still time to register for the Exploring Brain Mechanics Symposium 2025, taking place from September 30 to October 1, 2025, at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen, Germany.
July 11, 2025 at 8:56 AM
📢 Regular Registration Open – EBM Symposium 2025
There’s still time to register for the Exploring Brain Mechanics Symposium 2025, taking place from September 30 to October 1, 2025, at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen, Germany.
There’s still time to register for the Exploring Brain Mechanics Symposium 2025, taking place from September 30 to October 1, 2025, at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen, Germany.
The EBM project A04 investigates how manipulating mechanical forces affects the lineage decision of stem cells in human brain organoids, utilizing methods such as atomic force microscopy (AFM).
July 4, 2025 at 11:12 AM
The EBM project A04 investigates how manipulating mechanical forces affects the lineage decision of stem cells in human brain organoids, utilizing methods such as atomic force microscopy (AFM).