Mackenzie L. Skelton

This study shows that hydrogel stiffness and viscoelasticity influence fibroblast senescence, with viscoelasticity uniquely promoting senescence even without genotoxic stress.

The paper develops an agent-based model to show how senescent cell behavior and tissue mechanics contribute to pulmonary fibrosis in aged mice.

The paper examines lung viscoelasticity in bleomycin-induced fibrosis in mice, finding preserved viscoelastic properties despite increased stiffness.

This study shows that direct M2 macrophage co-culture promotes fibroblast activation regardless of hydrogel stiffness, mediated by IL6 signaling.