Mechanobiology is moving rapidly from a niche topic to a strategic capability in drug discovery, regenerative medicine and advanced in vitro models. As researchers look beyond traditional molecular and imaging readouts, mechanical properties such as stiffness, elasticity and contractility are becoming essential to understand disease progression and drug response.
To lead Optics11 Life into this next phase, we recently welcomed Jacquelien ten Dam as our new Chief Executive Officer. Her background combines capital markets experience at Van Lanschot Kempen, scale-up execution at Picnic, and hands-on commercialization in life sciences at MIMETAS, a blend of skills that will help turn mechanobiology into a global standard across pharma, biotech and academia.
Optics11 Life’s mission is to unlock the power of the mechanical properties of cells and tissues. Our nanoindentation and muscle contractility platforms are used by leading labs worldwide to generate reproducible, mechanically relevant data in near-physiological conditions, in applications ranging from fibrosis and skin aging to muscular dystrophies.
In this “5 questions with…” interview, Jacquelien shares how she sees mechanobiology evolving, her priorities for Optics11 Life, and what motivates her as a leader.
What excited you most about joining Optics11 Life?
“The technology solves a real problem in drug development. Our instruments let researchers measure what actually happens in tissues and cell, stiffness, elasticity, contractility, in conditions that closely resemble the human body. That functional readout gets researchers closer to understanding human biology, but in a dish.
With the shift toward 3D models and NAMs, mechanobiology is becoming essential. Joining at this inflection point, that’s incredibly exciting.”
You’ve worked in investment banking, a scale-up, and an organ-on-a-chip company. How will that experience shape your leadership here?
“I’ve seen innovation from different angles. Kempen taught me how to build growth stories for life sciences investors. Picnic showed me how to scale fast with customer-centric thinking as a mantra. MIMETAS gave me experience with disruptive platforms in pharma.
I bring clarity, quality, and a focus on real customer problems. My goal is to make it as easy as possible for customers to adopt mechanobiology in their everyday workflows.”
For readers who are new to the term: what is mechanobiology, in your own words?
“Mechanobiology is about the physical properties of cells and tissues such as their stiffness, elasticity, contractility and their role in health and disease. We know mechanics plays a role in fibrosis, skin aging, and muscular diseases, but it’s been hard to measure those properties directly in disease models in the lab.
That’s where Optics11 Life comes in. Our platforms make those mechanical properties visible and quantifiable. Combined with molecular and imaging data, you get a much richer picture of how diseases develop and how drugs actually work.”
On a more personal note, what motivates you outside of work?
“Learning. I’m always curious to understand how things work and why things happen. That ranges from pub quiz facts like “what is the highest temperature ever measured on Earth?“, to group psychology, to understanding cultures when I travel.”
Could you name a quote one-liner that perfectly describes you?
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
Learn more about mechanobiology
Curious how mechanics can transform your research? Explore our mechanobiology platforms Pavone, Cuore, Chiaro and Piuma and see how quantitative mechanical insights can enhance your 3D models, disease studies and drug screening. Click here to learn more about our products >>
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