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Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers
Published on: August 31, 2021
Mechanisms controlling the mechanical properties of the nuclei
Giulia Bastianello1, Marco Foiani1
1IFOM, The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20139, Italy; Oncology and Haemato-Oncology Department, University of Milan, Milan 20122, Italy.
Abstract:
The mechanical properties of the nucleus influence different cellular and nuclear functions and have relevant implications for several human diseases. The nucleus protects genetic information while acting as a mechano-sensory hub in response to internal and external forces. Cells have evolved mechano-transduction signaling to respond to physical cellular and nuclear perturbations and adopted a multitude of molecular pathways to maintain nuclear shape stability and prevent morphological abnormalities of the nucleus. Here we describe those key biological processes that control nuclear mechanics and discuss emerging perspectives on the mechanobiology of the nucleus as a diagnostic tool and clinical target.
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