Effect of poisson ratio on cellular structure formation
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Experimental and Data Analysis Workflow for Soft Matter Nanoindentation
Published on: January 18, 2022
1University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 293, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract:
Mechanically active cells in soft media act as force dipoles. The resulting elastic interactions are long ranged and favor the formation of strings. We show analytically that due to screening, the effective interaction between strings decays exponentially, with a decay length determined only by geometry. Both for disordered and ordered arrangements of cells, we predict novel phase transitions from paraelastic to ferroelastic and antiferroelastic phases as a function of the Poisson ratio.
Related Concept Videos
Membrane Fluidity
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Fluid Mosaic Model
Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins
Mechanism of Filopodia Formation
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with cytoskeletal...
Protein Diffusion in the Membrane

