[Short history on the birth of mechanobiology.]

In the last decade a new scientific discipline called "Mechanobiology" has emerged. It aims at elucidation of roles and mechanisms of mechanical forces in organisms as well as applications of the obtained fruits to human beings. Mechanobiology deals with a wide variety of objectives, including molecules, cells, tissues, organs and individuals, in which "Cell Mechanosesing" forms the core concept. Starting with a definition of cell mechanosensing, this short review gives an outline of the history of mechanobiology and perspectives on the mechanobiology in the near future.