Dr Eva Kreysing

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick

Scientific Background

Research Interests

I am interested in how the physical properties of the environment influence neuronal development. Our research has shown that neurons mature faster in softer regions of the brain compared to stiffer regions. I study how neurons sense and respond to the mechanical properties of their surroundings, and how these cues shape their development. To dissect these complex interactions, I combine primary neuronal culture with genetic manipulation using CRISPRCas9, electrophysiology, immunocytochemistry, and the development of novel imaging approaches, including surface plasmon–based microscopy.

Scientific Inspiration

Watching neurons grow and the brain develop is absolutely fascinating. The way neurons respond to specific cues or triggers can be surprising, and I am driven to understand why they behave the way they do.

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: supportive, curious, precise

Provision of Training

Every student will be trained by an expert in each technique until they are competent and confident and will then carry out their work independently.

Progression Monitoring and Management

We plan each project together and meet as often as needed, depending on the student and the stage of the work. When challenges arise or a project gets stuck, I encourage students to think through possible solutions themselves and step in to help whenever needed.

Communication

My door is open for students and I can be approached online if they cannot come on campus.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per week. These meetings will be face-to-face. I am usually contactable for an instant response 3 or 4 days per week.

Work Patterns

Work in my lab requires being present on site (be it in a laboratory or at a field site) during the core hours of 9:30 - 17:30 (or a subset if working part time). However, some primary cell culture tasks might require the students to come in at different times.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 weeks' notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

How neurons sense tissue stiffness during maturation

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

How neurons sense tissue stiffness during maturation

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Darius Koester

University of Registration: University of Warwick

BBSRC Research Themes:

Understanding the Rules of Life (Neuroscience and Behaviour)

Project Outline

For decades, neuroscience has primarily focused on chemical signalling. More recently, however, it has become clear that mechanical cues - such as the stiffness of surrounding tissue - also play a crucial role in neuronal development. Our previous work shows that neuronal maturation depends strongly on local mechanical properties: neurons mature earlier in softer brain regions and more slowly in stiffer ones. What remains unknown is how neurons detect these differences in stiffness.

Neurons engage with their environment through the cell membrane, adhesion sites, and the cytoskeleton, actively pulling on their surroundings to probe mechanical properties. This mechanosensitive interface is essential for detecting stiffness and translating it into developmental changes. This project will investigate how these interactions shape neuronal maturation.

The student will use calcium imaging and immunofluorescence to study how rat neurons develop in vitro on substrates of different stiffnesses. CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing will be used to knock down candidate proteins for stiffness sensing. The cell-substrate interface will be studied using surface plasmon resonance microscopy. In collaboration with the Koester lab the cytoskeletal organisation and membrane properties will be measured using fluorescence microscopy and optical tweezers.

Together, this will clarify how mechanical input is coupled to membrane and cytoskeletal dynamics, and ultimately to neuronal maturation. This work will advance our understanding of how neurons sense and respond to their physical environment during development.