Martin C. Harmsen

Fibroblast alignment is governed by stiffness interfaces in hydrogels.

This study shows fibroblasts align differently at soft/soft vs. soft/stiff hydrogel interfaces, with increased myofibroblast differentiation at stiff interfaces due to mechanical cues alone.

Modelling cigarette smoke-induced lung vascular dysfunction using an alveolus-on-chip

This paper presents an alveolus-on-chip model to study vascular-epithelial interactions and smoke-induced lung injury, showing that cigarette smoke disrupts vascular networks when exposed to alveolar epithelial cells.

Contrasting responses of control and fibrotic lung fibroblasts to fibrotic stimuli: the role of osteoprotegerin in extracellular matrix remodeling

This study compares OPG secretion and ECM remodeling in control and fibrotic lung fibroblasts under fibrotic conditions, finding opposite responses in matrix stiffness and collagen fiber properties.