About

Ning Wang is the Leonard C and Mary Lou Hoeft Endowed Professor in Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, holding a position since 2014. He is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering and has a research focus on cellular and molecular mechanomedicine, cancer cell biology and mechanics, embryonic stem cell biology and mechanics, mechanical biotechnologies, and mechanotransduction, including nuclear deformation and gene expression. Professor Wang employs advanced research techniques to understand cell mechanics, cytoskeletal biomechanics, bio-imaging of cytoskeletal structures, and stress distribution in living cells. He developed intracellular stress tomography and three-dimensional magnetic twisting cytometry technologies to study stress propagation, force transmission, and mechanical anisotropy in cells. His work demonstrated that transmembrane adhesion molecules, such as integrins, mediate force transmission across the cell surface to the cytoskeleton, a fundamental discovery that integrated biochemistry and biomechanics at cellular and subcellular levels. Additionally, he has shown that cytoskeleton tension influences cell shape and stiffness, and that localized forces can cause cytoplasmic and nuclear deformation. His recent collaborative research has revealed that cells can modulate their internal responses to external forces based on the force application rate. Professor Wang maintains active collaborations across multiple campus laboratories, contributing significantly to the field of bioengineering through his innovative research on cell mechanics and mechanobiology.

Research topics

• Cell biology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Biophysics
• Materials science

Selected publications

• Mechanomemory after short episodes of intermittent stresses induces YAP translocation via increasing F-actin

  APL Bioengineering · 2025-04-18 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  How forces and mechanics influence and regulate living cells remains elusive. Mechanomemory, the response to a mechanical perturbation that persists after the perturbation is removed, is believed to be a key to understanding the impact of forces and mechanics on cell functions. Recently, our lab has demonstrated the presence of mechanomemory that lasts for ∼30 min after applying external stress via integrins. Herein, we test the hypothesis that applications of short intermittent episodes of stress exert long-term effects on mechanomemory via the process of mechanotransduction. An Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic acid (RGD)-peptides-coated 4-μm magnetic bead was bound to the integrin receptors to apply stresses to the surface of a Chinese Hamster Ovary cell. At the same stress magnitude and frequency (15 Pa at 0.3 Hz), multiple cycles of externally applied intermittent 2 or 10 min stresses with 15 min intervals, 10 min stresses with 10 min intervals, or a 30 min stress plus a 30 min load-free interval increased nuclear translocation of YAP (Yes-Associated Protein) and Ctgf gene expression, like that by a 60 min continuous stress, but a 30 min continuous stress did not. Short durations of intermittent stresses increased F-actin in the cytoplasm, which coincided with the elevated YAP translocation. Inhibiting F-actin or actomyosin but not microtubules blocked stress-induced YAP translocation to the nucleus. Cells on soft substrates translocate more YAP than on stiff substrates after external load release. These results highlight the impact of multiple intermittent stresses-induced cytoplasmic mechanomemory on cell biological functions via YAP translocation.

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• Structural and anti-colorectal cancer modulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) protein by gaillardin: Experimental and theoretical analyses

  International Journal of Biological Macromolecules · 2025-12-15

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• Marine-inspired self-assembled peptide hydrogel spatiotemporal treatment of bacterial-infected wounds

  Chemical Engineering Journal · 2025-07-02 · 6 citations

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• Three-dimensional traction technology and its application in mechanomedicine

  Mechanobiology in Medicine · 2025-04-24 · 5 citations

  reviewOpen accessCorresponding

  Endogenous forces generated by living cells are essential for biological processes and physiological functions of cells and tissues. Over the last several decades, numerous methods for detecting traction forces have been developed. Here we review these methods and discuss their respective strengths and limitations. Being able to reliably quantify tractions in living cells and tissues are critical in understanding how forces drive and regulate cell and tissue functions in physiology and diseases.

  PublisherDOI

• SUV39H1 facilitate the osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells by modulating lipid metabolism and mitochondrial dynamics through FASN via non-histone methylation and ubiquitination mechanism

  Stem Cell Research & Therapy · 2025-09-25 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st author

  BACKGROUND: Tissue engineering technology has limited application in bone tissue regeneration because the mechanism remains unclear. SUV39H1 is a well-characterized histone methyltransferase, but its specific role in bone regeneration of dental pulp stem cells(DPSCs) remains unclear. Mitochondrial energy metabolism plays a regulatory role in osteogenesis, with lipid metabolites serving as critical substrates to fuel this process. FASN has been established as a key regulator of fatty acid metabolism. Therefore, we speculate that SUV39H1 influences the osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs through the mediation of FASN. However, it is still unclear how to regulate the expression of the SUV39H1. METHODS: Alkaline phosphatase activity and alizarin red staining were used to detect the osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were performed to detect gene expression levels. Cranioparietal bone replantation in rats and subcutaneous replantation in nude mice were used to confirm bone tissue regeneration. The Seahorse Cell Mitochondria Stress Test was used to detect the oxygen consumption rate. Co-Immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down confirmed the proteins complex. Lipid metabolism sequencing was used to detect the lipid metabolites. Software-based prediction tools analyze gene conservation and interaction networks. Dual-luciferase Reporter Gene Assay was used to detect SUV39H1 regulation by miRNA. RESULTS: SUV39H1 promoted osteogenic differentiation and bone regeneration in DPSCs. Our results further demonstrated that SUV39H1 enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs by promoting lipid metabolism and subsequent mitochondrial energy metabolism. Upon exploring the mechanism by which SUV39H1 regulates lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function. SUV39H1 was found to bind to non-histone and methylated FASN. Simultaneously, FASN was degraded by ubiquitination after SUV39H1 combined with FASN. Thus, SUV39H1 was speculated to methylate FASN, and subsequently recruit a ubiquitination enzyme targeting FASN for degradation. This process modulated lipid and mitochondrial energy metabolism to facilitate the bone regeneration of DPSCs. Regarding the mechanism of regulating SUV39H1 expression, miR-4788 bound to the 3 'UTR of SUV39H1 was found to silence its expression. CONCLUSION: Overall, SUV39H1 facilitated the osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs by modulating lipid metabolism and affected mitochondrial energy metabolism through FASN via non-histone methylation and ubiquitination mechanisms. The expression of SUV39H1was regulated by miR-4788.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• TaWAKL8-2B, a wall-associated receptor-like kinase, mediates wheat rust resistance by linalool and ROS accumulation

  Stress Biology · 2025-08-18 · 5 citations

  articleOpen access

  Wall-associated receptor kinases (WAKs) and WAK-likes (WAKLs) play pivotal roles in regulating plant immunity, through multiple downstream signaling components. However, knowledge of WAKs/WAKLs in wheat immune responses to rust diseases remain limited. In this study, we identified and characterized a wheat WAKL, TaWAKL8-2B, which is upregulated during wheat resistance to both Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) and Puccinia triticina (Ptt), indicating its role in wheat resistance to these two rust fungi. Transgenic wheat plants overexpressing TaWAKL8-2B exhibited enhanced resistance to stripe rust and leaf rust, accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and up-regulated defense-related gene expression. Whereas, knockout TaWAKL8-2B reduced resistance to Pst and Ptt with less ROS accumulation, highlighting its positive role in wheat resistance. RNA-seq analysis revealed that 33 genes encoding ROS-scavenging enzymes were upregulated in TaWAKL8-2B-KO plants, explaining the reduced ROS. KEGG analysis enriched the monoterpenoid pathway, particularly the linalool biosynthesis pathway, with linalool synthases significantly downregulated in TaWAKL8-2B-KO plants. Correspondingly, linalool synthase content and linalool content decreased in knockout plants. Collectively, our findings uncover a novel mechanism by which TaWAKL8-2B positively modulates wheat rust resistance through modulating linalool biosynthesis and peroxidase activity. These results enhance our understanding of TaWAKL8-2B mediated immune signaling and offer a promising gene for improving wheat broad-spectrum resistance to rust diseases.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Transcriptional and post-translational regulation of wheat TaWRKY40 orchestrates ROS-mediated plant resistance against stripe rust

  Molecular Plant · 2025-08-21 · 5 citations

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• Membrane-free and non-current Zn–Br battery: Using murexide-modified electrolyte

  Journal of Power Sources · 2025-03-02 · 4 citations

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• Mechanomedicine: Present state and future promise

  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2025-11-11 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Two recent conferences on mechanotransduction in biology and medicine showcased remarkable progress in this field and the potential for bringing mechanobiology into the clinic. In this Perspective, we discuss recent advances, the conceptual frameworks needed to develop clinical tools based on mechanobiology, and prospects for the future.

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• Strong Bioadhesives from Helical Polypeptides

  ACS Macro Letters · 2025-02-21 · 2 citations

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  Bioadhesives have emerged as versatile and powerful tools for tissue repair and integration with biomedical devices, offering a wide range of applications that have captured significant clinical and scientific interest. Synthetic polypeptide adhesives are particularly promising candidates for bioadhesives, but often face limitations in adhesive strength. In this study, inspired by marine adhesive proteins, the secondary structure and hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance of polypeptides were precisely regulated to transform the polyelectrolyte to a strong adhesive. The resulting polypeptide adhesive demonstrated an adhesive strength exceeding 1.0 MPa, more than 10× higher than that of the previously reported synthetic polypeptide adhesive. The cohesion and adhesion of polypeptide adhesive can be optimized by adjusting the content of the secondary structure and hydrophobic residue ratios. More helices in polypeptides enhance the interactions between the polypeptide backbone and side chains as well as the interactions between polypeptides and substrates. In addition, these polypeptide adhesives exhibit excellent tolerance to strong acids or alkalis, remarkable adhesion to variable materials and tissues, and an impressive sealing performance.

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Recent grants

• Development of Nanowire Needle/Electrode for Site-Specific Delivery of Bio-Probes for Intracellular Living Cell Studies

  NSF · $310k · 2009–2013

• NIH Grant R01HL065371

  NIH · $283k · 2001

• Bioengineering approaches to map mechanotransduction in the living cell

  NIH · $7.2M · 2005–2027

Frequent coauthors

• Donald E. Ingber

  Boston Children's Hospital

  66 shared

• Dimitrije Stamenović

  Boston University

  26 shared

• Jeffrey J. Fredberg

  Harvard University

  24 shared

• Farhan Chowdhury

  Southern Illinois University Carbondale

  21 shared

• Iva M. Tolić

  19 shared

• Thomas R. Polte

  Brigham and Women's Hospital

  15 shared

• Jianxin Chen

  Chengdu Sport University

  15 shared

• James P. Butler

  Harvard University

  14 shared

Labs

• Ning Wang LabPI

Education

• SCD

  Harvard University

  1990