Welcome to the Bersi Lab

We are located in the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science at Washington University in St. Louis. Our research is focused on soft tissue biomechanics and mechanobiology.

Using techniques that range from ex vivo tissue testing and mechanical characterization to in vitro cell culture and molecular biology, the ongoing research in the Bersi Lab is generally focused on understanding how alterations in a tissue’s mechanical environment can lead to changes in cellular and molecular activity that promote immune activation, tissue remodeling, and fibrosis. While focused primarily on cardiovascular disease, this multiscale approach has applicability to understanding injury and disease processes in multiple tissues and organ systems.

We aim to better define the intersection between soft tissue biomechanics, molecular biology, and immunology with the ultimate goal of evaluating tissue-specific immunotherapeutic treatment strategies.


Recent News

SB3C 2021

Dr. Bersi’s abstract titled “T Cells From Cadherin-11-Deficient Mice Promote Neointima Formation Following Vascular Injury” was accepted for a podium presentation at the upcoming SB3C 2021 Summer Bioengineering Conference. We look forward to seeing you there!

Our Work in the News

Dr. Bersi was recently interviewed by the McKelvey School of Engineering to discuss his NIH-funded research on the cell-cell adhesion protein Cadherin-11 in the context of vascular injury.

Spring Rotation Students in the Lab

We are excited to welcome two talented MEMS PhD students – Niyousha Karbasion and Daisy (Yujun) Xu – for a semester-long rotation this spring. Welcome, Niyousha and Daisy!

Caleb Snider joins the Lab

We are excited to announce J. Caleb Snider, PhD will be joining as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Oct. 2020. Welcome, Caleb!

Bersi Lab @ WashU

The lab officially opened as of Aug. 1, 2020. We are excited to begin work in our newly renovated lab space in Jubel Hall!