Two-Photon Polymerization 3D-Printing of Micro-scale Neuronal Cell Culture Devices.

Neuronal cultures have been a reference experimental model for several decades. However, 3D cell arrangement, spatial constraints on neurite outgrowth, and realistic synaptic connectivity are missing. The latter limits the study of structure and function in the context of compartmentalization and diminishes the significance of cultures in neuroscience.

Transient shape morphing of active gel plates: geometry and physics.

The control of shape in active structures is a key problem for the realization of smart sensors and actuators, which often draw inspiration from natural systems. In this context, slender structures, such as thin plates, have been studied as a relevant example of shape morphing systems where curvature is generated by in-plane incompatibilities. In particular, in hydrogel plates these incompatibilities can be programmed at fabrication time, such that a target configuration is attained at equilibrium upon swelling or shrinking.

Nutations in growing plant shoots as a morphoelastic flutter instability.

Growing plant shoots exhibit spontaneous oscillations that Darwin observed, and termed 'circumnutations'. Recently, they have received renewed attention for the design and optimal actuation of bioinspired robotic devices. We discuss a possible interpretation of these spontaneous oscillations as a Hopf-type bifurcation in a growing morphoelastic rod.

The biomechanical role of extra-axonemal structures in shaping the flagellar beat of .

We propose and discuss a model for flagellar mechanics in . We show that the peculiar non-planar shapes of its beating flagellum, dubbed 'spinning lasso', arise from the mechanical interactions between two of its inner components, namely, the axoneme and the paraflagellar rod. The spontaneous shape of the axoneme and the resting shape of the paraflagellar rod are incompatible.

Nutations in Plant Shoots: Endogenous and Exogenous Factors in the Presence of Mechanical Deformations.

We present a three-dimensional morphoelastic rod model capable to describe the morphogenesis of growing plant shoots driven by differential growth. We discuss the evolution laws for endogenous oscillators, straightening mechanisms, and reorientations to directional cues, such as gravitropic reactions governed by the avalanche dynamics of statoliths. We use this model to investigate the role of elastic deflections due to gravity loading in circumnutating plant shoots.