Adam Engler

Adam Engler is a Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of California San Diego. His research focuses on mechanotransduction, extracellular matrix regulation, and biophysical cues in cellular behavior, spanning cancer metastasis, cardiac function, and stem cell differentiation. He leads multiple NIH- and NSF-funded projects investigating matrix stiffness, tumor progression, and muscle dysfunction.

Research Interests:

• Mechanotransduction in cancer and cardiac cells
• Dynamic extracellular matrix modeling
• Stem cell niche engineering
• Biophysical signaling in metastasis
• Age-related muscle degeneration
• Conductive biomaterials for tissue maturation

Recent Publications: His work spans biophysical interrogation of glioblastoma invasion, mechanogenetic approaches in muscle dysfunction, and heterogeneous cancer cell mechanics. Articles highlight stiffness-driven cell fate decisions, adhesome technology for metastatic markers, and collaborative efforts in medical device design.

Grants: Major funding includes NIH R01NS116802 (2020-2025), NIH R25EB023839 (2018-2024), and NSF grants on cancer cell mechanics and tissue engineering.

Labs & Collaborations: Engler's lab integrates bioengineering and molecular biology, collaborating with teams at UCSD and across institutions to develop dynamic hydrogels, conductive scaffolds, and single-cell atlases for cardiac and cancer research.