Prof. Pascal Tomakidi

The work of our group aims at understanding how biomechanical cues of the extracellular environment, e.g. micropatterning of cell adhesion points and substrate/matrix stiffness/elasticity govern cell behaviour, in order to maintain or modulate cell and tissue homeostasis.

To this end, identification and characterization of mechano-sensitive molecules is indispensible. In this context, molecules of particular importance address cell functions including (i) mechanopercetion, (ii) signal-/mechanotransduction, and (iii) execution of mechano-response. To realize this aim, we employ simple monolayer cultures and/or interactive co-cultures of tissue-relevant cells, considering physiological, i.e. soluble growth factor-orchestrated in vivo-relevant cell-to-cell-interactions. Tissues addressed include epithelia in conjunction with connective tissue counterparts of oral cavity and skin, the periodontal ligament as well as the alveolar bone, but also cornea. As a prospective goal, we focus on translation of the experimental progressive elucidation of biomechanics in mechano-signalling terms into material science, i.e. the creation of new tissue-supporting biomaterials. 

10 seleceted publications

• Molecular Research on Oral Diseases and Related Biomaterials: A Journey from Oral Cell Models to Advanced Regenerative Perspectives.
  Steinberg T, Dieterle MP, Tomakidi P (2022).
  Int J Mol Sci. 23(9):5288.
• FAK Shutdown: Consequences on Epithelial Morphogenesis and Biomarker Expression Involving an Innovative Biomaterial for Tissue Regeneration.
  Wang X, Steinberg T, Dieterle MP, Ramminger I, Husari A, Tomakidi P (2021).
  Int J Mol Sci. 22(18):9774.
• From the Matrix to the Nucleus and Back: Mechanobiology in the Light of Health, Pathologies, and Regeneration of Oral Periodontal Tissues.
  Dieterle MP, Husari A, Steinberg T, Wang X, Ramminger I, Tomakidi P (2021).
  Biomolecules. 11(6):824.
• Role of Mechanotransduction in Periodontal Homeostasis and Disease.
  Dieterle MP, Husari A, Steinberg T, Wang X, Ramminger I, Tomakidi P (2021).
  J Dent Res. 100(11):1210-1219.
• Force-responsive Zyxin modulation in periodontal ligament cells is regulated by YAP rather than TAZ.
  Belgardt E, Steinberg T, Husari A, Dieterle MP, Hülter-Hassler D, Jung B, Tomakidi P (2020).
  Cell Signal. 72:109662.
• On the relationship of YAP and FAK in hMSCs and osteosarcoma cells: Discrimination of FAK modulation by nuclear YAP depletion or YAP silencing.
  Husari A, Steinberg T, Dieterle MP, Prucker O, Rühe J, Jung B, Tomakidi P (2029).
  Cell Signal. 63:109382.
• Gelatin nonwovens-based epithelial morphogenesis involves a signaling axis comprising EGF-receptor, MAP kinases ERK 1/2, and β1 integrin.
  Jedrusik N, Steinberg T, Husari A, Volk L, Wang X, Finkenzeller G, Strassburg S, Tomakidi P (2019).
  J Biomed Mater Res A. 107(3):663-677.
• Nanofibered Gelatin-Based Nonwoven Elasticity Promotes Epithelial Histogenesis.
  Jedrusik N, Meyen C, Finkenzeller G, Stark GB, Meskath S, Schulz SD, Steinberg T, Eberwein P, Strassburg S, Tomakidi P (2018).
  Adv Healthc Mater. 7(10):e1700895.
• Disruption of adherens junction and alterations in YAP-related proliferation behavior as part of the underlying cell transformation process of alcohol-induced oral carcinogenesis.
  Husari A, Hülter-Hassler D, Steinberg T, Schulz SD, Tomakidi P (2018).
  Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res. 1865(1):209-219.
• Biomechanical strain-induced modulation of proliferation coincides with an ERK1/2-independent nuclear YAP localization.
  Hülter-Hassler D, Wein M, Schulz SD, Proksch S, Steinberg T, Jung BA, Tomakidi P(2017).
  Exp Cell Res. 361(1):93-100.