Lucas-Luciano Cullari
Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung
Forschungsinteressen
I am interested in how cellular behavior can be modulated through the rational design of synthetic extracellular matrix (ECM) systems, with a particular focus on controlling the mechanical cues that govern mechanotransduction. My work integrates concepts from materials science, rheology, polymer chemistry, and supramolecular chemistry to engineer defined cellular microenvironments.
Research Description
A central theme of his work is the development of dynamic, mechanically adaptive, and bioresponsive scaffolds composed of polymeric and self-assembling peptide networks. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding how rheological parameters, such as stiffness, stress relaxation, and poroelasticity, govern interactions with complex biological systems and ultimately dictate functional cellular outcomes.
In the long term, his research aims to establish rational design principles for adaptive functional materials in biological environments. These efforts seek to advance next-generation in vitro platforms that enable personalized, cell-specific microenvironments while reducing reliance on animal models.
Vita
Lucas Luciano Cullari received his B.Sc. cum laude (top 10%) in Chemical Engineering and Physical Chemistry through the “Chemistry-Chemical Engineering Dual-Degree Excellence Program” at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in 2018. He subsequently obtained his M.Sc. cum laude (Top 10%) in Chemical Engineering from BGU under the supervision of Prof. Oren Regev, where his research focused on the colloidal chemistry behind aqueous carbon-based dispersions.
He continued his doctoral studies at BGU under the supervision of Prof. Oren Regev, expanding his research to inorganic soft matter networks and colloidal rheology, for which he was awarded the Dean's Excellence Award. His work demonstrated that modulation of the mechanical properties of kinetically arrested networks enables the dispersion of particles across the nanometer-to-micrometer scale. Furthermore, by controlling interparticle spacing (e.g., via surface charge), he established strategies to tailor the mechanical properties of these dispersions for different manufacturing techniques such as spray coating and 3D printing.
He is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Prof. Dr. Tanja Weil Department of Synthesis of Macromolecules, where he has transitioned to the field of biomaterials design. His current research focuses on cell-matrix interactions at the interface from a biomechanical perspective.