The Ingber laboratory is interested in the general mechanism of cell and developmental regulation: how cells respond to signals and coordinate their behaviors to produce tissues with specialized form and function. The specific focus is on control of angiogenesis and vascular development. Our approach has been driven by our hypothesis that the process of tissue construction may be regulated mechanically. We introduced the concept that living cells stabilize their internal cytoskeleton, and control their shape and mechanics, using an architectural system first described by Buckminster Fuller, known as tensegrity.

Tensegrity and Complex Systems Biology
Our approach to understanding cellular hardware is based on cellular tensegrity theory. Tensegrity is a building principle that was first described by the architect R. Buckminster Fuller and first visualized by the sculptor Kenneth Snelson. Fuller defines tensegrity systems as structures that stabilize their shape by continuous tension or "tensional integrity" rather than by continuous compression (e.g., as used in a stone arch).

The cellular tensegrity model proposes that the whole cell is a prestressed tensegrity structure, although geodesic structures are also found in the cell at smaller size scales (e.g. clathrin-coated vesicles, viral capsids).




Cellular Tensegrity Theory: Cells and tissues are organized as discrete network structures, and they use tensegrity architecture to mechanically stabilize themselves. In the cellular tensegrity theory, complex mechanical behaviors in cells and tissues emerge through establishment of a mechanical force balance between different molecular elements in the cytoskeleton and ECM that maintains the cell in a state of isometric tension.

» Click here to visit the Ingber Lab Website
» Click here to visit the Scientific American wbesite, download the article: The Architecture of Life