Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved...

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Reversibly-sealable microfluidic platform for multi-molecule gradient delivery to large adherent cell cultures.

Biomedical microdevices·2026

Same author

How receptor conformation depends on lipid nanodisc size: Adenosine A<sub>2A</sub> receptor and implications for class-A GPCR proteins.

Biochimica et biophysica acta. Biomembranes·2026

Same author

Interplay between extracellular matrix mechanics and cell function in mechanobiology.

Current opinion in biomedical engineering·2026

Same author

Large-scale endoplasmic reticulum membrane solidification spatially organises proteins under thermal or metabolic stress.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Modeling tumor transport and growth with poroelastic biopolymer networks.

Soft matter·2026

Same author

Inherent Lipid Composition Abnormalities in Astrocytes Associated with Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease (LOAD).

Cells·2026

Same journal

Dynamics of weakly magnetic nanoparticle suspensions near a magnetized sphere.

Soft matter·2026

Same journal

Thermal morphing of inflatable liquid crystal elastomer domes with kirigami-enabled programmability.

Soft matter·2026

Same journal

Correction: Effect of external salt solution concentration on carboxyl dissociation degree (<i>α</i>) and p<i>K</i><sub>a</sub> of weak polyelectrolyte membranes for sustainable technologies.

Soft matter·2026

Same journal

Anomalous dewetting dynamics in active entangled polymer films: flexible chains.

Soft matter·2026

Same journal

Electrorheology of the suspensions of oblate poly(ionic liquid) ellipsoids.

Soft matter·2026

Same journal

Nanopore sequencing with proteins: synchronization and dischronization of molecular dynamics simulations with laboratory and industrial developments.

Soft matter·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 9, 2025

Accessing the Cytotoxicity and Cell Response to Biomaterials

Accessing the Cytotoxicity and Cell Response to Biomaterials

Published on: July 8, 2021

Soft biological materials and their impact on cell function.

Ilya Levental¹, Penelope C Georges¹, Paul A Janmey²

¹Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 1010 Vagelos Research Laboratories, 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

|September 9, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Soft viscoelastic materials, crucial for biological tissues, require specific mechanical properties for implants and tissue engineering. Controlling material softness significantly impacts cell behavior and physiological function.

More Related Videos

Thin Film Composite Silicon Elastomers for Cell Culture and Skin Applications: Manufacturing and Characterization

Thin Film Composite Silicon Elastomers for Cell Culture and Skin Applications: Manufacturing and Characterization

Published on: July 3, 2018

Two Methods for Decellularization of Plant Tissues for Tissue Engineering Applications

Two Methods for Decellularization of Plant Tissues for Tissue Engineering Applications

Published on: May 31, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 9, 2025

Accessing the Cytotoxicity and Cell Response to Biomaterials

Accessing the Cytotoxicity and Cell Response to Biomaterials

Published on: July 8, 2021

Thin Film Composite Silicon Elastomers for Cell Culture and Skin Applications: Manufacturing and Characterization

Thin Film Composite Silicon Elastomers for Cell Culture and Skin Applications: Manufacturing and Characterization

Published on: July 3, 2018

Two Methods for Decellularization of Plant Tissues for Tissue Engineering Applications

Two Methods for Decellularization of Plant Tissues for Tissue Engineering Applications

Published on: May 31, 2018

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Tissue Engineering
Cell Biology

Background:

Biological tissues are soft viscoelastic materials with moduli from 100 Pa (brain) to 100,000 Pa (cartilage).
Biocompatible synthetic materials offer potential for implants and tissue engineering.
Matching synthetic material mechanical properties to biological tissues is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the importance of understanding and controlling mechanical properties, particularly softness, in biomaterials.
To emphasize the impact of substrate mechanics on cell behavior.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on the mechanical properties of biological tissues.
Discussion of the role of synthetic materials in biomedical applications.
Analysis of the influence of substrate mechanics on cellular responses.

Main Results:

Physiologically appropriate mechanical properties, especially softness, are essential for synthetic biomaterials.
Substrate mechanics can influence cell morphology, differentiation, motility, and survival.
The mechanical environment is as critical as chemical stimuli for cell fate.

Conclusions:

Controlling the mechanical properties of synthetic materials is vital for successful integration as implants and scaffolds.
Biomaterial softness is a key determinant of cellular response and tissue regeneration.
Further research into mechanically tuned biomaterials will advance regenerative medicine and implantable devices.