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

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration01:32

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration

4.8K
A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker...
4.8K
Forces Acting on Chromosomes02:11

Forces Acting on Chromosomes

3.4K
During mitosis, chromosome movements occur through the interplay of multiple piconewton level forces. In prometaphase, these forces help in chromosome assembly or congression at the equatorial plane, eventually leading to their alignment at the metaphase plate. The forces acting on the chromosomes are space and time-dependent; therefore, they vary with the position of the chromosomes as the cell progresses through mitosis. 
Microtubules and motor proteins exert two types of forces on...
3.4K
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

2.7K
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
2.7K
Mechanism of Filopodia Formation01:39

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

2.4K
Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
2.4K
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

2.7K
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...
2.7K
Attachment of Sister Chromatids02:57

Attachment of Sister Chromatids

3.3K
As cells progress into mitosis, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the condensed chromosomes are exposed to the array of bipolar microtubules of the mitotic spindle. The kinetochore, a large, disc-shaped protein complex, is present at the centromere region of the sister chromatids and acts as a binding site for the microtubules.  Usually, the plus-end of a single microtubule is embedded within the kinetochore. However, some kinetochores first establish lateral contact with the side-wall...
3.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Luminescence lifetime imaging integrated into selective plane illumination microscopy for oxygen imaging in 3D cell cultures.

Biomedical optics express·2026
Same author

Enhanced source localization accuracy through bidirectional deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes: A comparative study with non-invasive EEG methods.

Journal of neural engineering·2026
Same author

Corrigendum to "Biomimetic bone calcium phosphate-based scaffolds fabricated via ceramic vat photopolymerization: Effect of porosity, sintering temperature, mineralogical phases and trace elements on the osteogenic potential" [Mater. Today Bio 38 (2026) 103074].

Materials today. Bio·2026
Same author

Corrigendum to "Biomimetic bone calcium phosphate-based scaffolds fabricated via ceramic vat photopolymerization: Effect of porosity, sintering temperature, mineralogical phases and trace elements on the osteogenic potential" [Mater. Today Bio 38 (2026) 103074].

Materials today. Bio·2026
Same author

Leveraging Pretrained Neural Network Models for the Classification of Tumor Cells Analyzed by Label-Free Phase Holotomographic Microscopy.

Computational and structural biotechnology journal·2026
Same author

Three-Dimensional Micro-Computed Tomographic Imaging Reveals Early Mucosal Remodeling in Individuals With Potential Celiac Disease.

Gastroenterology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Biophysical Assays to Probe the Mechanical Properties of the Interphase Cell Nucleus: Substrate Strain Application and Microneedle Manipulation
16:27

Biophysical Assays to Probe the Mechanical Properties of the Interphase Cell Nucleus: Substrate Strain Application and Microneedle Manipulation

Published on: September 14, 2011

12.4K

Substrate microtopographies induce cellular alignment and affect nuclear force transduction.

Birhanu Belay1, Elina Mäntylä2, Christian Maibohm3

  • 1BioMediTech, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland; INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Ultrafast Bio- and Nanophotonics Group, Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal.

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
|August 16, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Micro-engineered scaffolds with specific surface topographies alter cell mechanics. These substrates guide cytoskeletal organization and nuclear deformation, impacting cellular force transduction in a manner mimicking in vivo environments.

Keywords:
3D imagingBiosensorFRET-FLIMMechanobiologyMorphologyTwo-photon polymerization

More Related Videos

Combining 3D Magnetic Force Actuator and Multi-Functional Fluorescence Imaging to Study Nucleus Mechanobiology
06:54

Combining 3D Magnetic Force Actuator and Multi-Functional Fluorescence Imaging to Study Nucleus Mechanobiology

Published on: July 5, 2022

2.4K
Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers
09:56

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers

Published on: August 31, 2021

4.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Biophysical Assays to Probe the Mechanical Properties of the Interphase Cell Nucleus: Substrate Strain Application and Microneedle Manipulation
16:27

Biophysical Assays to Probe the Mechanical Properties of the Interphase Cell Nucleus: Substrate Strain Application and Microneedle Manipulation

Published on: September 14, 2011

12.4K
Combining 3D Magnetic Force Actuator and Multi-Functional Fluorescence Imaging to Study Nucleus Mechanobiology
06:54

Combining 3D Magnetic Force Actuator and Multi-Functional Fluorescence Imaging to Study Nucleus Mechanobiology

Published on: July 5, 2022

2.4K
Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers
09:56

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers

Published on: August 31, 2021

4.9K

Area of Science:

  • Cellular and Molecular Mechanobiology
  • Biomaterials Science
  • Tissue Engineering

Background:

  • Traditional 2D cell cultures lack the in vivo extracellular matrix, limiting understanding of cellular responses.
  • Micro-engineered scaffolds offer advanced platforms to investigate physical cues' role in cellular functions.
  • Understanding microtopography's impact on cellular mechanics is crucial for developing biomimetic models.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how microtopographical features influence cytoskeletal organization and nuclear mechanics.
  • To fabricate and characterize substrates with defined microtopographies using direct laser writing.
  • To analyze cellular alignment, nuclear morphology, and mechanical properties on these novel substrates.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of microtopographic substrates using two-photon polymerization (TPP).
  • High-resolution spectral imaging to analyze cellular and nuclear responses.
  • Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements using a nesprin-2 molecular tension sensor to quantify nuclear envelope tension.

Main Results:

  • Grid and vertical line microtopographies promoted 3D actin cytoskeleton orientation and reduced basal actin stress fibers.
  • Cells cultured on these microtopographies exhibited increased nuclear alignment, elongation, and deformation.
  • Microtopographic substrates led to reduced mechanical tension at the nuclear envelope, indicating altered force transduction.

Conclusions:

  • Substrate microtopographies significantly modulate cellular mechanics, including actin organization and nuclear force transduction.
  • Micro-engineered scaffolds provide a powerful tool for studying cell-environment interactions in a physiologically relevant context.
  • These findings advance the development of biomimetic systems for life science research.