Brain as a dynamic poro-viscoelastic biophysical system

The brain is not just a signaling network — it is an active, deformable porous material whose microstructure and mechanics continuously interact with neural activity. We use living brain slices inside the MRI to link activity readouts (calcium imaging / electrophysiology) with dynamic microstructural and mechanical mapping using advanced MRI contrasts (diffusion, relaxation, elastography…) and advanced biophysical modelling. Using optogenetics, focused ultrasound, and targeted chemical perturbations, we causally manipulate both neural dynamics and tissue state to uncover feedback loops: how activity writes biophysical states, and how those states shape subsequent activity.