Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 11, 2025

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques
Published on: November 2, 2018
Quantifying molecular- to cellular-level forces in living cells
Jason Pan1, Tommy Kmieciak2, Yen-Ting Liu1
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States of America.
Abstract:
Mechanical cues have been suggested to play an important role in cell functions and cell fate determination, however, such physical quantities are challenging to directly measure in living cells with single molecule sensitivity and resolution. In this review, we focus on two main technologies that are promising in probing forces at the single molecule level. We review their theoretical fundamentals, recent technical advancements, and future directions, tailored specifically for interrogating mechanosensitive molecules in live cells.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Mechanical Protein Functions
Protein Dynamics in Living Cells
Fluorescent recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is a fluorescent-protein-based detection technique used to quantify protein movement rates within the cell. This method exposes a small portion of the cell to an intense laser beam. The laser beam causes permanent photobleaching of the fluorophore-tagged proteins in the exposed region. As the bleached...
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...

