Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026
07:07
Biomechanical Characterization of Human Soft Tissues Using Indentation and Tensile Testing
Published on: December 13, 2016
32.9K
Biomechanical Characterization at the Cell Scale: Present and Prospects.
Francesco Basoli1, Sara Maria Giannitelli1, Manuele Gori1
1Department of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy.
Frontiers in Physiology
|December 1, 2018
Summary
Mechanobiology requires precise cell mechanical property measurements. This review covers advanced techniques like atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical tweezers for studying cell fate and microenvironment interactions.
Area of Science:
- Mechanobiology
- Cellular Biophysics
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Cellular mechanical properties significantly influence cell fate and biological processes.
- Understanding cell-environment interactions is crucial in mechanobiology.
- Technological advancements are essential for accurate characterization of cell mechanics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current and emerging methods for characterizing cell mechanical properties.
- To highlight recent technological advances in mechanobiology.
- To discuss implementation challenges of these methods.
Main Methods:
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) based techniques.
- Optical, magnetic, and acoustic tweezers.
- Sensing substrates utilizing biomaterials chemistry and microfabrication.
Main Results:
- Overview of diverse methodologies for probing cell mechanics.
- Emphasis on recent innovations in AFM, tweezers, and substrate-based sensing.
- Discussion of the strengths and limitations of each approach.
Conclusions:
- A variety of techniques exist for characterizing cell mechanical properties.
- Continued development of these methods is vital for advancing mechanobiology.
- Addressing implementation challenges will improve reproducibility and accessibility.
Related Concept Videos
02:41pH Scale
79.7K
Hydronium and hydroxide ions are present both in pure water and in all aqueous solutions, and their concentrations are inversely proportional as determined by the ion product of water (Kw). The concentrations of these ions in a solution are often critical determinants of the solution’s properties and the chemical behaviors of its other solutes. Two different solutions can differ in their hydronium or hydroxide ion concentrations by a million, billion, or even trillion times. A common means of...
79.7K
01:26Scaling
593
In designing and analyzing filters, resonant circuits, or circuit analysis at large, working with standard element values like 1 ohm, 1 henry, or 1 farad can be convenient before scaling these values to more realistic figures. This approach is widely utilized by not employing realistic element values in numerous examples and problems; it simplifies mastering circuit analysis through convenient component values. The complexity of calculations is thereby reduced, with the understanding that...
593
01:22Thermometers and Temperature Scales
7.6K
Any physical property that depends consistently and reproducibly on temperature can be used as the basis of a thermometer. For example, volume increases with temperature for most substances. This property is the basis for the common alcohol thermometer and the original mercury thermometers. Other properties used to measure temperature include electrical resistance, color, and the emission of infrared radiation.
As many physical properties depend on temperature, the variety of thermometers is...
As many physical properties depend on temperature, the variety of thermometers is...
7.6K
01:22Gas Thermometers and the Kelvin Scale
6.3K
The definition of temperature in terms of molecular motion suggests that there should be a lowest possible temperature, where the average kinetic energy of molecules is zero (or the minimum allowed by quantum mechanics). Experiments confirm the existence of such a temperature, called absolute zero. An absolute temperature scale is one whose zero point is absolute zero. Such scales are convenient in science because several physical quantities, such as the volume of an ideal gas, are directly...
6.3K
01:07What are Cells?
199.5K
Cells are the smallest and basic units of life, whether it is a single cell that forms the entire organism, e.g., in a bacterium or trillions of them, e.g., in humans. No matter what organism a cell is a part of, they share specific characteristics.
Basic Characteristics of Cells
A living cell has a plasma membrane, a bilayer of lipids that separates the aqueous solution inside the cell called the cytoplasm from the outside environment.
Furthermore, a living cell possesses genetic information...
Basic Characteristics of Cells
A living cell has a plasma membrane, a bilayer of lipids that separates the aqueous solution inside the cell called the cytoplasm from the outside environment.
Furthermore, a living cell possesses genetic information...
199.5K
02:03What is Cell Signaling?
130.4K
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
130.4K