Innovations in measuring cellular mechanics

Abstract

This article describes several novel mechanical methods for elucidating cellular responses to different types of mechanical loading (adhesive, pulling, pushing, shearing, and stretching forces). Understanding how cells deform and transmit stresses into the cell is important for gene expression, cytoskeletal remodeling, and focal adhesion reorganization and crucial for a variety of higher fundamental cell functions including cell division, motility, and differentiation. Introducing these unique methods of measuring and understanding cellular mechanics, therefore, provides a valuable platform for cell biology research.