Gunes Uzer, Ph.D.

Dr. Gunes Uzer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at Boise State University. He joined to the department in August 2016. Dr. Uzer is the director of the Mechanical Adaptations Laboratory leading a multidisciplinary research program.

In the past 10 years, Dr. Uzer’s studies have covered a broad range of topics, including advanced material characterization, experimental photometry, finite element modeling, as well as cell and animal models. His work on stem cell mechanobiology was focused on identifying relevant components of mechanical signals that modulate a wide variety of bone cell functions as well as defining the mechanical control of stem cell structure, function and fate.

• B.S, Physics, Celal Bayar University, Turkey, 2005
• M.S, Mechanical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 2008
• Ph.D, Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 2013

• Uzer G, Pongkitwitoon, Rubin J, Judex S, Cytoskeletal Configuration Modulates Mechanically Induced Changes in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Osteogenesis, Morphology and Stiffness, Scientific Reports,6, 34791, 2016
• Uzer G, Rubin CT, Rubin J, Cell Mechanosensitivity Is Enabled by the LINC Nuclear Complex, Current Molecular Biology Reports, Vol. 2(1), p. 36, 2016
• Uzer G, Fuchs RK, Rubin J, Thompson WR, Concise Review: Plasma and Nuclear Membranes Convey Mechanical Information to Regulate Mesenchymal Stem Cell Lineage, Stem Cells Vol. 34(6), p. 1455, 2016
• Uzer G, Thompson WR, Xie Z, Sen B, Judex S, Rubin CT, Burridge K, Rubin J, Cell mechanosensitivity to extremely low magnitude signals is enabled by a LINCed nucleus, Stem Cells, Vol. 33(6), p. 2063, 2015
• Thompson WR, Uzer G, Yen S, Xie Z, Sen B, Case N, Styner M, Rubin J. A Novel Osteocyte Specific Responses to Soluble and Mechanical Stimuli in a Stem Cell Derived Culture Model, Scientific Reports. Vol. 5, p. 11049, 2015
• Sen B, Xie Z, Uzer G, Thompson WR, Styner M, Rubin J. Intranuclear Actin Regulates Osteogenesis, Stem Cells. Stem Cells, Vol. 33(10), p. 3065, 2015
• Styner M, Wu X, Uzer G, Thompson WR, Sen B, Xie Z, Styner MA, Rubin J, Exercise regulation of marrow fat in the setting of PPAR-? agonist treatment, Endocrinology. Vol. 156(8), p.2753-2761
• Uzer G, Pongkitwitoon S, Chan ME, Rubin J, Judex S, Gap Junctional Communication in Osteocytes is Amplified by Low Intensity Vibrations in vitro, PLoS One, Vol. 9(3): e90840, 2014
• Styner M, Kadari S, Galior K, Uzer G, Thompson WR, Case N, Sen B, Xie Z, Romaine A, Styner MA, Pagnotti G, Rubin CT, Horowitz M, Rubin J, Bone marrow fat accumulation accelerated by high fat diet is suppressed by exercise, Bone, Vol. 64, p. 39, 2014
• Sen B, Xie Z, Case N, Thompson WR, Uzer G, Styner M, Rubin J, mTORC2 regulates mechanically induced cytoskeletal reorganization and lineage selection in marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Vol. 29(1), p. 78, 2014
• Uzer G, Chan ME, Pongkitwitoon S, Judex S, Vibration Induced Osteogenic Commitment of Mesenchymal Stem Cells is Enhanced by Cytoskeletal Remodeling but not Fluid Shear, Journal of Biomechanics, Vol. 46(13), p.2296, 2013
• Thompson WR, Guilluy C, Xie Z, Sen B, Brobst K, Yen S, Uzer G, Styner M, Case N, Burridge K, Rubin J, Mechanically Activated Fyn Utilizes mTORC2 to Regulate RhoA and Adipogenesis in Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Stem Cells, Vol. 31(11), p. 2528, 2013
• Chan ME, Uzer G, Rubin CT, The Potential Benefits and Inherent Risks of Vibration as a Non-Drug Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis, Current Osteoporosis Reports, Vol.11(1), p. 36, 2013
• Uzer G, Manske S, Chan ME, Chiang FP, Rubin CT, Frame MD, Judex S, Separating Fluid Shear Stress from Acceleration during Vibrations in Vitro: Identification of Mechanical Signals Modulating the Cellular Response, Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering, Vol. 5(3), p. 266, 2012
• Gupta S, Uzer G, Surabhi P, Judex S, Multiple Multiple Exposures to Unloading Decrease Bone's Responsivity but Compound Skeletal Losses in C57BL/6 Mice American Journal of Physiology- Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, Vol. 303(2), p.159, 2012
• Holguin N, Uzer G, Chiang FP, Rubin C, Judex S, A Brief Daily Exposure to Low Intensity Vibration Mitigates the Degradation of the Intervertebral Disc in a Frequency-specific Manner, Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol.111(6), p. 1846, 2011
• Uzer G and Chiang FP, Mapping Full Field Deformation of Auxetic Foams using Digital Speckle Photography, Physica Status Solidi B, Vol.245(11), p. 2391, 2008
• Uzer G, Chiang FP, Krukenkamp IB, Measuring Shape and Surface Strain of 3D Objects Using Digital Speckle Photography, Strain, Vol.45(5), p. 409, 2008

• Dr.Uzer’s research focuses on nuclear envelope and nucleoskeleton as a dynamic, mechanoresponsive signaling platforms that regulate the biochemical and physical coupling of cell to the outside world. Mechanically derived structural changes not only modulate the way forces are transmitted within the cells but also over longer term, cells appreciate the mechanical qualities of the environment and then direct their function and lineage selection. In this way, cells maintain a continuous flow of information —both mechanical and biochemical— between nucleus, cytoskeleton and outside environment but current models are still unable to bridge the gap in our understanding of how tissue level factors interact and perceived at the cellular level.

  Dr.Uzer’s research employ the biology, physics and engineering approaches using experimental and computational methods to develop models to identify the function and regulation of mechanosensitive mechanisms in cells with an ultimate goal of uncovering novel clinical applications related to aging, microgravity and other musculoskeletal conditions like osteoporosis, arthritis, muscle wasting syndromes and progeria.

• Current Projects:

  Cell Mechanobiology Research: The ability of stem cells to respond to functional mechanical cues is critical to their ability to replace and reinforce the musculoskeletal tissues . LINC (Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton) complexes connecting the cytoplasmic cytoskeleton to the nucleus are critical to this function. This projects focuses on how mechanical qualities of the microenvironment controls cellular function.

  Microgravity Research: The skeletal fragility that accompanies bone loss due to microgravity is a significant challenge to the success of the space mission. Mechanical signals generated during functional loading promote bone formation at load bearing sites. This project focuses on mechanisms by which mechanical signals preserve the bone differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells.