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

Mechanical Protein Functions

Mechanical Protein Functions

Proteins perform many mechanical functions in a cell. These proteins can be classified into two general categories- proteins that generate mechanical forces and proteins that are subjected to mechanical forces. Proteins providing mechanical support to the structure of the cell, such as keratin, are subjected to mechanical force, whereas proteins involved in cell movement and transport of molecules across cell membranes, such as an ion pump, are examples of generating mechanical force.

Protein Dynamics in Living Cells

Protein Dynamics in Living Cells

Different fluorescence-based techniques are used to study the protein dynamics in living cells. These techniques include FRAP, FRET, and PET.
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

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

Photo-activated ultrasound localization imaging with laser-activated nanodroplets.

Communications engineering·2026

Same author

DNA Origami-Templated Aptamer Chiral Structures Realize Cellular Enantioselectivity.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2026

Same author

Probing millikelvin temperature sensitivity in chiral nanoparticles via optical forces.

APL materials·2025

Same author

Near-Infrared-Triggered Nanodroplets for Imaging-Guided Macrophage-Mediated Cancer Immunotherapy.

Small methods·2025

Same author

Nanofabrication for Nanophotonics.

ACS nano·2025

Same author

Label-Free Dual-Modal Photoacoustic/Ultrasound Localization Imaging for Studying Acute Kidney Injury.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 11, 2025

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques

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.

Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics

|December 6, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Measuring mechanical forces in living cells is difficult. This review covers two key technologies for probing single-molecule forces to understand cell function and fate.

Keywords:

FRET atomic force microscopy conformational imaging mechanobiology molecular forces

More Related Videos

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers

Published on: August 31, 2021

High-throughput Flow-cytometry Measurement of Cellular Mechanotype Based on Rupture and Delivery of DNA Tension Probes into Cells

High-throughput Flow-cytometry Measurement of Cellular Mechanotype Based on Rupture and Delivery of DNA Tension Probes into Cells

Published on: June 13, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 11, 2025

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques

Published on: November 2, 2018

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers

Published on: August 31, 2021

High-throughput Flow-cytometry Measurement of Cellular Mechanotype Based on Rupture and Delivery of DNA Tension Probes into Cells

High-throughput Flow-cytometry Measurement of Cellular Mechanotype Based on Rupture and Delivery of DNA Tension Probes into Cells

Published on: June 13, 2025

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Cell Biology
Molecular Mechanosensing

Background:

Mechanical cues significantly influence cellular functions and fate determination.
Directly measuring these physical forces in live cells at the single-molecule level is technically challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

To review technologies for probing forces at the single-molecule level in live cells.
To discuss the theoretical basis, recent advancements, and future prospects of these technologies.

Main Methods:

Focus on two promising technologies for single-molecule force measurements.
Review theoretical fundamentals and technical progress.

Main Results:

Highlights technologies capable of interrogating mechanosensitive molecules.
Discusses advancements enabling single-molecule force resolution.

Conclusions:

These technologies offer powerful tools for studying mechanobiology.
Future directions aim to enhance resolution and application in live-cell studies.