Ion Andreu

Ion Andreu is an Ikerbasque Research Fellow and group leader of the Cell and Tissue Mechanobiology group at the Biofisika Institute, a joint research center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the University of the Basque Country (EHU). His work bridges biophysics and cell biology, focusing on how mechanical forces regulate cellular functions in health and disease.

• PhD: Tecnun, Spain (Supervisor: M.R. Elizalde)
• Postdoctoral Training: Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Spain (Mentor: Pere Roca-Cusachs)

His research centers on cell mechanobiology, particularly how cells sense and respond to mechanical cues from the extracellular matrix, regulating processes such as malignancy, invasion, and development. He investigates how forces influence nucleocytoplasmic transport, chromatin organization, and gene expression, integrating biophysical tools with molecular and cell biology approaches.

The analysis of his publication record reveals a strong focus on mechanotransduction, with recurring themes in nuclear mechanics, extracellular matrix dynamics, and cancer progression. His work frequently appears in high-impact journals such as Cell, Nature Cell Biology, and Nature Materials, highlighting his contributions to understanding how physical forces govern cellular behavior.

Scientific Awards:

• Ikerbasque Research Fellowship

Ion Andreu leads an independent research group, securing competitive funding to support his work. While no formal students are listed, he mentors researchers within his group and collaborates across disciplines. His lab focuses on developing and applying quantitative methods to measure and manipulate mechanical forces at the cellular and tissue levels.

The Cell and Tissue Mechanobiology group operates within the Biofisika Institute, a leading center for biophysical research in Spain. The team uses advanced imaging, microengineering, and biophysical assays to study how mechanical signals are transduced across cellular compartments and influence tissue-level behaviors.