Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

3.6K
In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue. 
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
3.6K
Electromotive Force02:36

Electromotive Force

30.2K
Electricity is generated by either electrons or ions flowing through a solution or a conducting medium. This flow of electrons or specifically electrical charge is defined as an electric current. When electrons move through a wire, they generate an electric current. It can be recalled  that in a redox reaction, electrons are lost and gained. In the spontaneous redox reaction of zinc  with copper, when zinc is immersed in a copper ion solution, a transfer of electrons from one substance to...
30.2K
Intermolecular Forces03:13

Intermolecular Forces

71.0K
Atoms and molecules interact through bonds (or forces): intramolecular and intermolecular. The forces are electrostatic as they arise from interactions (attractive or repulsive) between charged species (permanent, partial, or temporary charges) and exist with varying strengths between ions, polar, nonpolar, and neutral molecules. The different types of intermolecular forces are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion; among these, dipole–dipole, hydrogen...
71.0K
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

7.1K
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
7.1K
Intermolecular vs Intramolecular Forces03:00

Intermolecular vs Intramolecular Forces

96.9K
Intermolecular forces (IMF) are electrostatic attractions arising from charge-charge interactions between molecules. The strength of the intermolecular force is influenced by the distance of separation between molecules. The forces significantly affect the interactions in solids and liquids, where the molecules are close together. In gases, IMFs become important only under high-pressure conditions (due to the proximity of gas molecules). Intermolecular forces dictate the physical properties of...
96.9K
Intermolecular Forces in Solutions02:28

Intermolecular Forces in Solutions

39.5K
The formation of a solution is an example of a spontaneous process, a process that occurs under specified conditions without energy from some external source.
When the strengths of the intermolecular forces of attraction between solute and solvent species in a solution are no different than those present in the separated components, the solution is formed with no accompanying energy change. Such a solution is called an ideal solution. A mixture of ideal gases (or gases such as helium and argon,...
39.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Fibronectin matrix remodelling modulates the active nematic dynamics of cancer-associated fibroblasts.

Nature materials·2026
Same author

Biophysical principles of cell competition and elimination.

Trends in cell biology·2026
Same author

Scalable fluorine-free superhydrophobic photothermal coating based on boron carbide and candle soot for anti-icing and photothermal de-icing.

Nanoscale·2026
Same author

Adhesion-mediated force transmission regulates cell competition in epithelia.

Comptes rendus biologies·2026
Same author

Dynamic heterogeneity and hidden fluidity in dense epithelial tissues.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Released palmitic acid-mediated TLR4/NF-κB activation enhances the virulence of Bordetella pertussis MT28 lineage.

Nature communications·2026
Same journal

Disentangling the response to lysosomal damage.

Journal of cell science·2026
Same journal

The force, form and function of the nucleus.

Journal of cell science·2026
Same journal

The nucleus-vacuole junction at a glance.

Journal of cell science·2026
Same journal

Loss of INPP5E affects photoreceptor outer segment membrane biogenesis in iPSC-derived human retinal organoids.

Journal of cell science·2026
Same journal

Brinker regulates reciprocal outcomes of BMP signal between stem cells and differentiating cells.

Journal of cell science·2026
Same journal

Primary cilium disassembly - from mechanisms to roles in physiology and disease.

Journal of cell science·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells
10:46

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells

Published on: July 16, 2013

16.7K

Mechanical forces in cell monolayers.

Tianchi Chen1, Thuan Beng Saw1,2, René-Marc Mège3

  • 1Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411.

Journal of Cell Science
|December 22, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cell monolayers, crucial in physiology, exhibit active nematic properties. Understanding their mechanics, influenced by physical cues and cytoskeletal forces, is key to collective cell behavior and tissue development.

Keywords:
Actin cytoskeletonActive matterCell–cell junctionsCollective cell migrationMechanobiology

More Related Videos

Characterizing Mechanical Properties of Primary Cell Wall in Living Plant Organs Using Atomic Force Microscopy
09:52

Characterizing Mechanical Properties of Primary Cell Wall in Living Plant Organs Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: May 18, 2022

2.6K
Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Living Cells Using Atomic Force Microscopy
08:41

Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Living Cells Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: June 27, 2013

41.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells
10:46

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells

Published on: July 16, 2013

16.7K
Characterizing Mechanical Properties of Primary Cell Wall in Living Plant Organs Using Atomic Force Microscopy
09:52

Characterizing Mechanical Properties of Primary Cell Wall in Living Plant Organs Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: May 18, 2022

2.6K
Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Living Cells Using Atomic Force Microscopy
08:41

Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Living Cells Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: June 27, 2013

41.2K

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biophysics
  • Soft matter physics

Background:

  • Cell collectives organize into monolayers in physiological processes like epithelia.
  • Understanding monolayer mechanics is vital for elucidating collective cell behavior and tissue properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Review recent in vitro studies on cell monolayer mechanics.
  • Discuss implications for collective dynamics, regulation by physical cues, and tissue mechanics' effects on biological processes.
  • Highlight the active nematic property and liquid crystal theory applications in biological systems.

Main Methods:

  • Review of in vitro studies on cell monolayer mechanics.
  • Focus on active nematic properties and liquid crystal theory.
  • Examination of mechanosensing and mechanotransduction via actomyosin cytoskeleton and cell-cell adhesion proteins (E-cadherin, α-catenin).

Main Results:

  • Monolayer mechanics are regulated by physical confinement and geometrical cues.
  • Tissue mechanics influence cell division and extrusion.
  • Mechanosensing and mechanotransduction involve actomyosin cytoskeleton and cell-cell adhesion.

Conclusions:

  • Cell monolayers exhibit active nematic properties, linking to liquid crystal theory.
  • A holistic understanding requires interdisciplinary approaches and diverse techniques, from large-scale force measurements to molecular sensors.