Student Projects
How Sensory Neurons Shape Joint Function and Pain
Joint disorders and joint pain affect millions of people across all ages, yet the neuronal mechanisms that link joint mechanics to dysfunction and pain remain poorly understood. In this project, the student will explore how sensory neurons detect mechanical forces in musculoskeletal tissues and how altered sensing contributes to joint pathology and pain. The project integrates in vivo imaging, mouse genetics, and molecular profiling to study sensory neuron function during mechanical stimulation and disease. Working at the interface of neuroscience and biomechanics, the student will contribute to uncovering fundamental principles of joint somatosensation. This project is ideal for motivated students interested in sensory neuroscience, mechanobiology, and joint disorders, and offers hands-on experience with cutting-edge experimental approaches, merging biomechanics and neuroscience.
Keywords
Sensory neurons, Joint pain, Mechanosensation, In vivo imaging, Mouse genetics, Neuroscience, Biomechanics
Labels
Semester Project , Internship , Master Thesis
Contact Details
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Published since: 2026-01-27 , Earliest start: 2026-01-01 , Latest end: 2026-11-01
Organization Snedeker Group / Laboratory for Orthopaedic Biomechanics
Hosts Passini Fabian
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology
How Cells Feel Force: Decoding Mechanosensitive Pathways Driving Musculoskeletal Disease
Mechanical overloading and overuse are major drivers of inflammation and musculoskeletal disease, yet the fundamental question of how cells sense and respond to mechanical overload remains largely unanswered. In this project, the student will tackle this open challenge by uncovering the mechanosensitive mechanisms activated in fibroblasts in response to mechanical stimulation. The project offers hands-on training in cutting-edge mechanobiology, combining functional calcium imaging with CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic perturbations, targeted mechanosensor screening approaches, and advanced proteomics analyses. By integrating these state-of-the-art techniques, the student will work at the interface of biomechanics, cell biology, and molecular signaling, with the opportunity to generate discoveries that are directly relevant to musculoskeletal disease mechanisms. This project is ideally suited for highly motivated students interested in the musculoskeletal system, mechanobiology, molecular biology, and translational research, and provides an excellent platform to develop interdisciplinary skills and contribute to a rapidly growing and impactful research field.
Keywords
Mechanobiology, Mechanotransduction, Mechanical overload, Fibroblasts, Calcium imaging, CRISPR/Cas9, Genetic perturbation, Proteomics, Musculoskeletal disease, Inflammation, Cell signaling, Force sensing
Labels
Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
Contact Details
More information
Published since: 2026-01-12 , Earliest start: 2025-12-15 , Latest end: 2026-06-01
Organization Snedeker Group / Laboratory for Orthopaedic Biomechanics
Hosts Passini Fabian
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Biology