Membrane organisation and cellular sensing
Mayor group explores how membrane composition, nanodomains and non-clathrin uptake pathways shape a cell’s ability to sense and respond to its environment.
Cellular Interface Cluster
Understanding cellular interface at all scales of biological organisation.
About
The Cellular Interface Cluster brings together membrane biophysics, mechanobiology, advanced imaging and bioelectric systems modelling. We investigate how cells sense, shape, and communicate across mechanical and electrical boundaries.
Research
Research Themes
We connect membrane biophysics, mechanics and bioelectric signalling to understand how cells interface with their surroundings, sense form, and shape function.
Cortical mechanics, membrane tension and cell movement
Köster group investigates how membrane tension and cytoskeletal forces coordinate to control motility, cell–cell contact, and mechano-sensitive signalling.
Advanced imaging of nanoscale membrane dynamics
Schneider lab develops high-sensitivity optical tools that reveal how molecules move and organise in membranes, cells and developing tissues.
Neuronal stiffness sensing and maturation
Kreysing uses biophysical probes to show how tissue stiffness influences neuronal maturation and electrical signalling through mechanosensitive pathways.
Bioelectric mechanics in tissue form
Singh group frames development as an electro-mechanical problem, studying how bioelectric signals and mechanics combine to organise growing tissues.
People
These are the core leaders of the Cellular Interface Cluster. Affiliates and partner researchers will be featured on dedicated pages as the cluster grows.
Professor Satyajit Mayor
Membrane organisation and living interfaces
Studies how cells build functional membrane architecture in space and time, and how membrane composition and mechanics influence signalling, endocytosis, and cellular decision-making.
Dr Darius Köster
Membrane-cortex mechanics and tension regulation
Focuses on the molecular and physical principles that link the plasma membrane, cell cortex, and cytoskeletal forces, with quantitative reconstitution and imaging of mechano-sensing processes.
Dr Falk Schneider
Fluorescence imaging of membrane dynamics
Develops advanced fluorescence microscopy and fluctuation spectroscopy tools to measure nanoscale molecular motion and membrane organisation across model membranes, cells, and zebrafish tissues.
Dr Eva Kreysing
Neuronal mechanobiology and tissue stiffness sensing
Examines how neurons sense the stiffness of their environment, using surface plasmon resonance microscopy and biomechanics to connect tissue mechanics with neuronal maturation.
Dr Amit Singh
Electrohydraulics of Living Matter
A theoretical biophysicist developing coupled electrohydraulic theory for how ion transport, water flow, and mechanics work together to drive tissue growth, patterning, and morphogenesis.
News
Latest updates
Recent cluster progress, cross-group activities, and new funding milestones are highlighted here to keep collaborators and visitors informed.
10 June 2025
A Warwick researcher in membrane-cortex mechanics was highlighted for leading an inspiring international workshop that connects mechanobiology with engineering and science education.
7 November 2025
A new study from Dr Eva Kreysing demonstrates how tissue stiffness guides electrical maturation in neurons through Piezo1-regulated transthyretin activity.
12 July 2023
Professor Satyajit Mayor named Leverhulme International Professor
The NCBS membrane biophysics leader joined the cluster's growing international partnership after receiving the Leverhulme International Professorship.
University of Warwick
Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology
Leverhulme Trust