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Related Concept Videos

Mechanical Protein Functions01:58

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. 
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

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...
Machines01:19

Machines

Machines are complex structures consisting of movable, pin-connected multi-force members that work together to transmit forces. One example of a machine is the cutting plier, which is used to cut wires by applying forces to its handles. When equal and opposite forces are exerted on the handles of the cutting plier, they cause the cutting edges to come together and apply equal and opposite reaction forces on the wire, which are greater than the applied forces.
A free-body diagram of the...
Machines: Problem Solving I01:22

Machines: Problem Solving I

A toggle clamp is a mechanical device commonly used for holding and clamping objects in various applications, such as woodworking, metalworking, and assembly operations. Consider a toggle clamp subjected to a force of 200 N at the handle. The vertical clamping force can be calculated, provided the dimensions of the toggle clamp are known.
The toggle clamp system is a machine structure consisting of movable, pin-connected multi-force members that form a stabilized system to transmit forces. The...
Machines: Problem Solving II01:30

Machines: Problem Solving II

Machines are complex structures consisting of movable, pin-connected multi-force members that work together to transmit forces. Consider a lifting tong carrying a 100 kg load. It comprises movable sections DAF and CBG linked together with member AB.
Measurements of Strain01:27

Measurements of Strain

Strain quantifies the deformation of a material under force, typically measured as normal strain, which represents the change in length when compared with the original length. Electrical strain gauges are used for enhanced accuracy. These devices consist of a conductive wire mounted on a paper backing that adheres to the material's surface. These gauges operate on the piezoresistive effect, where the wire's electrical resistance changes in response to mechanical deformation. The strain gauge...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Living Cells Using Atomic Force Microscopy
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Measuring mechanical stress in living tissues.

Manuel Gómez-González1, Ernest Latorre1,2, Marino Arroyo1,2

  • 1Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.

Nature Reviews. Physics
|January 27, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Researchers reviewed methods for measuring mechanical stress in living tissues at high resolution. These techniques are crucial for understanding tissue development, homeostasis, and diseases like cancer.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Biomaterials Science

Background:

  • Living tissues are dynamic materials that generate, sense, and respond to mechanical stress.
  • Mechanical stress plays a vital role in tissue development, homeostasis, healing, and regeneration.
  • Aberrant mechanical stress is linked to various pathologies, including developmental defects, inflammation, and cancer metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and categorize techniques for measuring mechanical stress in living tissues.
  • To highlight methods offering cellular and subcellular resolution.
  • To discuss the application of these techniques in understanding biological processes and diseases.

Main Methods:

  • 2D techniques for cell monolayers: traction microscopy, micro-pillar arrays, monolayer stress microscopy, and flexible cantilever stretching.
  • 3D techniques for tissue cultures: 3D traction microscopy and the micro-bulge test.
  • In vivo techniques: servo-null methods, deformable inclusions, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensors, laser ablation, and computational force inference.

Main Results:

  • A comprehensive overview of diverse techniques for mechanical stress measurement in biological systems.
  • Categorization of methods based on dimensionality (2D, 3D, in vivo) and resolution.
  • Emphasis on the rapid advancement and potential of these techniques.

Conclusions:

  • Measuring mechanical stress in living tissues is essential for understanding fundamental biology and disease.
  • The reviewed techniques, despite current limitations, are rapidly advancing our comprehension of mechanobiology.
  • Further development of these tools will significantly impact research in morphogenesis, homeostasis, and pathology.