Andre Montes, Ph.D.

Andre Montes, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Publications

Integrin Mechanosensing relies on Pivot-clip Mechanism to Reinforce Cell Adhesion

Published in Biophysical Journal, 2023

Our study integrates molecular and cellular-level modeling to propose that fibronectin's synergy site reinforces cell adhesion through enhanced binding properties and a mechanosensitive pivot-clip mechanism. This work sheds light on the intricate interplay between mechanical forces and cell-matrix interactions, contributing to our understanding of cellular behaviors in physiological and pathological contexts.

Recommended citation: Montes AR , Barroso A, Wang W, O'Connell GD, Tepole AB, Mofrad MRK (2024). "Integrin Mechanosensing relies on Pivot-clip Mechanism to Reinforce Cell Adhesion." Biophysical Journal http://dredremontes.github.io/files/pivot_clip_BJ.pdf

Multiscale Computational Framework to Investigate Integrin Mechanosensing and Cell Adhesion

Published in Journal of Applied Physics, 2023

Our framework leverages molecular dynamics simulations to investigate residues within integrin-fibronectin during stretching and the finite element method to visualize the whole-cell adhesion mechanics.

Recommended citation: Montes AR , Gutierrez G, Tepole AB, Mofrad MRK (2023). "Multiscale Computational Framework to Investigate Integrin Mechanosensing and Cell Adhesion." Journal of Applied Physics, 134 (114702). http://dredremontes.github.io/files/montes_multiscale_integrin_mechanosensing.pdf

Design of a flexing organ-chip to model in situ loading of the intervertebral disc

Published in Biomicrofluidics, 2022

We developed and modeled an organ-chip to emulate the mechanics of the annulus fibrosus within the intervertebral disc of the spine.

Recommended citation: McKinley JP*, Montes AR* , Wang MN, et al. (2022). "Design of a flexing organ-chip to model in situ loading of the intervertebral disc." Biomicrofluidics. 16 (054111). http://dredremontes.github.io/files/AoC_Biomicrofluidics.pdf

Research seminar designed for undergraduate students builds confidence and access to research opportunities

Published in American Society for Engineering Education, 2022

We developed a semester-long seminar course for undergraduate students in the Mechanical Engineering Department at UC Berkeley to expose students to ongoing research, while providing a networking opportunity.

Recommended citation: Arevalo SE*, Montes AR* , O'Connell GD. (2022). "Research seminar designed for undergraduate students builds confidence and access to research opportunities." ASEE. 37513. http://dredremontes.github.io/files/ASEE-2022.pdf