Life is capable of impressive mechanical feats. Whether a striker scores a goal or a neuronal axon crawls to a precise target one meter away, the mechanics of biological systems continues to inspire researchers. Our research group, Biological Systems Mechanics, aims to uncover the mechanical design principles of biological systems by building and researching physical model systems in the lab. This approach informs biological mechanisms, uncovers new physics, inspires new technology, and aims to close the gap between mechanics and biology. Current topics include the mechanics of hairy surfaces immersed in fluids, as well as active gels of the muscle proteins actin and myosin.