ABCD-Shaping Life : Mechanobiology and Pattern Formation
Master in Life Science, ENS
BIO-PG-ABCD-S2 | ABCD-Shaping Life : Mechanobiology and Pattern Formation
Year : M1/M2 and PhD
Where : Biology department, ENS
Duration : 15 sessions of 2h, Mondays 5:15-7:15 pm, from January 19th to June 8th 2025
Hours : 30h approx.
Maximum class size : 25 students
This course is also open to external students. Contact
Coordination
Cédric Blouin (Curie)
Benoît Sorre (Curie)
Stéphanie Miserey (Curie)
Anahi Molla Herman (CIRB Collège de France)
Terence Strick (ENS)
To register, please send an email to Bofei MA before January 9th, 2026.
Credits
3 ECTS
Keywords
Mechanical forces | Cytoskeleton | Membrane sensing | Morphogenesis | Biomechanical modeling
Course Prerequisites
No prerequisite is required as long as the student is motivated enough by the topic to read the bibliography provided by the speaker before the session.
Course objectives and description
The course series Shaping Life : Mechanobiology and Pattern Formation explores how mechanical forces and physical principles contribute to the organization of living systems. It introduces how cells sense, generate, and respond to mechanical cues, and how these signals shape their behavior. Central topics include cytoskeletal dynamics, cell polarization and division, and the mechanics of membrane dynamics. The lectures also examine how gradients and tissue patterning emerge from the interplay between physical forces and molecular regulation. It will also cover morphogenesis, where feedback between mechanics and gene expression drives the formation of tissues and organs. Students will learn about experimental approaches used to measure and model, mechanical properties in cells and tissues. Case studies highlight both normal development and pathological conditions, such as cancer and infection. Through critical discussion of recent research, students will be encouraged to engage with open questions in the field. Ultimately, the series provides an integrative view of how forces and forms interact to shape life.
Organization
Each session will feature one speaker. The speaker will begin with an introduction for non-specialists, followed by a conference-level presentation. After the talk, two students will present two papers from the speaker’s lab.
List of speakers
In alphabetical order and not in the order of the lectures
Abdou Rachid Thiam (DR, IPGG - ENS)
Aurore Claude-Taupin (CR, INEM)
Daria Bonazzi (CR, IJM)
Feng Tsai Ching (CR, I. Curie)
Franck Perez (DR , I. Cuire)
Jean-Léon Maître (DR, I. Curie)
Lara Kruger (CR, I. Curie)
Louisiane Perrin ( I. Curie)
Manuel Théry (DR, ESPCI)
Marie-Emilie Terret (DR, CdF)
Matthieu Piel (DR, IPGG – I. Curie)
Paolo Pierobon (DR, I. Cochin)
Simon de Becco (MCU, IJM)
Stéphanie Descroix (DR, I. Curie)
Assessment
Validation for M1/M2 (with grades) : Article presentation + presentation of the speaker/topic
Validation for ENS diploma / Doctoral school (without grades) : assiduity (presence to at least 80% of the sessions), article presentation + presentation of the speaker/topic (Maximum 10-12 students, 2 article presentations per session)
Possible to attend the course without validation in the limit of room availability
Course material
Slides and online presentations will be made available (with agreement of the speaker of each session)