The biophysical property of the nucleus dramatically impacts cell functions including migration, proliferation and pathogen killing by immune cells. Yet, we have limited understanding of how the nucleus controls cell behavior beyond gene expression – this prevents us from leveraging nucleus biophysics to engineer cells. My lab studies how cells regulate the biophysical properties of the nucleus and how these properties in turn control cell behaviors so that we can create a nucleus-inspired particle (SynNuc) with modular physico-chemical properties to non-genetically engineer cells. Success of our work will transform cell engineering by pioneering a new field of biophysical cell engineering which leverages the biophysical mechanisms of cells to manipulate, mimic, control and improve cell behavior. Using SynNuc, we will also study how organelle biophysics impacts cell biology. Thus, success will have a broad impact in cell biology, biophysics and engineering.