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

2.8K
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...
2.8K
Strain and Elastic Modulus01:15

Strain and Elastic Modulus

4.2K
The quantity that describes the deformation of a body under stress is known as strain. Strain is given as a fractional change in either length, volume, or geometry under tensile, volume (also known as bulk), or shear stress, respectively, and is a dimensionless quantity. The strain experienced by a body under tensile or compressive stress is called tensile or compressive strain, respectively. In contrast, the strain experienced under bulk stress and shear stress is known as volume and shear...
4.2K
Normal Strain under Axial Loading01:20

Normal Strain under Axial Loading

712
Normal strain under axial loading is an important concept in the field of mechanics of materials. Axial loading implies the application of a force along the axis of a material, like a column or bar. This force can either compress or stretch the material. In the context of axial loading, normal strain is the deformation experienced by the material in the direction of the loading force. It's calculated as the change in length divided by the original length of the material. This unitless ratio...
712
Thermal Strain01:19

Thermal Strain

2.5K
Thermal strain is a concept that arises when we consider how temperature changes affect structures. Unlike the conventional assumption that structures remain constant under load, real-world scenarios often involve temperature fluctuations that can significantly impact these structures. Consider a homogeneous rod with a uniform cross-section resting freely on a flat horizontal surface. If the rod's temperature increases, the rod elongates. This elongation is proportional to the temperature...
2.5K
Stem Cell Niche01:26

Stem Cell Niche

5.4K
The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...
5.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Aged differentiated cells reverse into native stemness-like state by niche cytokines to sustain lifelong homeostasis and tissue repair.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Microbiota-derived indole differentially shapes Entamoeba histolytica physiology and promotes host-compatible colonization.

PLoS neglected tropical diseases·2026
Same author

Correction: Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli induces Entamoeba histolytica superdiffusion movement on fibronectin by reducing traction forces.

PLoS pathogens·2026
Same author

Hydrogel Viscoelasticity Modulates Cell Nascent Extracellular Matrix Deposition.

Macromolecular rapid communications·2025
Same author

Honoring Daniel Aberdam's scientific and human legacy.

Cell death & disease·2025
Same author

Hydrogel viscoelasticity modulates cell nascent extracellular matrix deposition.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 12, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Cell and Tissue Engineering for Tendon Repair
04:48

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Cell and Tissue Engineering for Tendon Repair

Published on: March 1, 2024

2.0K

Stem cell responses to stretch and strain.

Swarnabh Bhattacharya1, Haguy Wolfenson2, Ramesh Shivdasani3

  • 1Department of Medical Oncology and Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Departments of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Trends in Cell Biology
|November 21, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Stem cells (SCs) sense mechanical signals from their environment, influencing their behavior, fate, and roles in aging and disease.

Keywords:
cell fatemechanobiologynichestem cells

More Related Videos

Live Cell Imaging during Mechanical Stretch
07:42

Live Cell Imaging during Mechanical Stretch

Published on: August 19, 2015

10.6K
Mechanical Stimulation of Stem Cells Using Cyclic Uniaxial Strain
25:12

Mechanical Stimulation of Stem Cells Using Cyclic Uniaxial Strain

Published on: July 29, 2007

12.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 12, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Cell and Tissue Engineering for Tendon Repair
04:48

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Cell and Tissue Engineering for Tendon Repair

Published on: March 1, 2024

2.0K
Live Cell Imaging during Mechanical Stretch
07:42

Live Cell Imaging during Mechanical Stretch

Published on: August 19, 2015

10.6K
Mechanical Stimulation of Stem Cells Using Cyclic Uniaxial Strain
25:12

Mechanical Stimulation of Stem Cells Using Cyclic Uniaxial Strain

Published on: July 29, 2007

12.9K

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Cell Biology
  • Mechanobiology

Background:

  • Stem cells (SCs) are crucial for development, tissue repair, and disease modeling.
  • The cellular microenvironment, including the extracellular niche and cell-cell interactions, significantly impacts SC behavior.
  • Biomechanical cues are increasingly recognized as critical regulators of stem cell function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how stem cells perceive and respond to biomechanical stimuli.
  • To understand the role of mechanical cues in regulating stem cell fate decisions.
  • To explore the implications of SC mechanosensing in aging and disease processes.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing advanced microscopy techniques to visualize SC-niche interactions.
  • Employing atomic force microscopy (AFM) to probe cellular mechanical properties.
  • Developing computational models to simulate SC responses to biomechanical forces.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated that stem cells actively sense and transduce mechanical signals.
  • Identified specific biomechanical parameters that direct stem cell differentiation pathways.
  • Correlated altered SC mechanosensing with hallmarks of cellular aging and disease phenotypes.

Conclusions:

  • Biomechanical cues are fundamental regulators of stem cell behavior and fate.
  • Targeting SC mechanosensing pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies for aging and diseases.
  • Further research into stem cell mechanobiology is essential for regenerative medicine.