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

Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Stratified Epithelium01:29

Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Stratified Epithelium

12.4K
Stratified epithelium consists of several stacked layers of cells. They provide the durability to withstand constant physical and chemical attacks. Stratified epithelium is named after the shape of the most apical layer of cells. Stratified squamous epithelium is the most common type found in the human body. In this tissue, the apical cells are squamous, whereas the basal layer contains either columnar or cuboidal cells. The basal cells divide to form new daughter cells, which gradually become...
12.4K
Shearing Strain01:20

Shearing Strain

1.2K
The shearing strain represents a cubic element's angular change when subjected to shearing stress. This type of stress can transform a cube into an oblique parallelepiped without influencing normal strains. The cubic element experiences a significant transformation when exposed solely to shearing stress. Its shape alters from a perfect cube into a rhomboid, clearly demonstrating the effect of shearing strain. The degree of this strain is considered positive if it reduces the angle between the...
1.2K
Strain and Elastic Modulus01:15

Strain and Elastic Modulus

8.8K
The quantity that describes the deformation of a body under stress is known as strain. Strain is given as a fractional change in either length, volume, or geometry under tensile, volume (also known as bulk), or shear stress, respectively, and is a dimensionless quantity. The strain experienced by a body under tensile or compressive stress is called tensile or compressive strain, respectively. In contrast, the strain experienced under bulk stress and shear stress is known as volume and shear...
8.8K
Relation between Poisson's ratio, Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity01:15

Relation between Poisson's ratio, Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity

532
Deformation occurs in axial and transverse directions when an axial load is applied to a slender bar. This deformation impacts the cubic element within the bar, transforming it into either a rectangular parallelepiped or a rhombus, contingent on its orientation. This transformation process induces shearing strain. Axial loading elicits both shearing and normal strains. Applying an axial load instigates equal normal and shearing stresses on elements oriented at a 45° angle to the load axis.
532
Stress-Strain Diagram - Ductile Materials01:24

Stress-Strain Diagram - Ductile Materials

1.9K
The stress-strain relationship in ductile materials such as structural steel or aluminium is intricate and progresses through several stages. When a specimen is loaded, it initially exhibits a linear length increase, depicted by a steep straight line on the stress-strain diagram. It indicates the material is elastically deforming and will return to its original shape once unloaded. However, when a critical stress value is reached, plastic deformation begins. This stage sees substantial...
1.9K
Hooke's Law01:26

Hooke's Law

1.5K
Hooke's law, a pivotal principle in material science, establishes that the strain a material undergoes is directly proportional to the applied stress, defined by a factor called the modulus of elasticity or Young's modulus.
1.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Supracellular Mechanics and Counter-Rotational Bilateral Flows Orchestrate Posterior Morphogenesis.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

Supracellular contractility in Xenopus embryo epithelia regulated by extracellular ATP and the purinergic receptor P2Y2.

Journal of cell science·2025
Same author

The TissueTractor: A Device for Applying Large Strains to Tissues and Cells for Simultaneous High-Resolution Live Cell Microscopy.

Small methods·2025
Same author

Inferring active and passive mechanical drivers of epithelial convergent extension.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

Distinct structural and functional connectivity of genetically segregated thalamoreticular subnetworks.

Cell reports·2024
Same author

The TissueTractor, a device for applying large strains to tissues and cells for simultaneous high-resolution live cell microscopy.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 10, 2026

High-resolution Imaging of Nuclear Dynamics in Live Cells under Uniaxial Tensile Strain
09:20

High-resolution Imaging of Nuclear Dynamics in Live Cells under Uniaxial Tensile Strain

Published on: June 2, 2019

8.3K

Shape, Strain, and Stability: Epithelia Under High Strain.

Jing Yang1, Yicheng Dong1, Carter Jones1

  • 1Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, 15213.

Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|November 26, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Cellular strain heterogeneity in Xenopus laevis epithelia arises from intrinsic cell properties, not uniform external forces. Actomyosin networks dictate force transmission and dissipation, crucial for tissue resilience and adaptation.

Keywords:
Xenopus embryonic ectodermactomyosinbiomechanicscell cortexepitheliumforce feedbackmechanical heterogeneitymechanobiology

More Related Videos

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

12.9K
Equibiaxial Stretching Device for High Magnification Live-Cell Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy
08:41

Equibiaxial Stretching Device for High Magnification Live-Cell Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: June 13, 2025

1.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 10, 2026

High-resolution Imaging of Nuclear Dynamics in Live Cells under Uniaxial Tensile Strain
09:20

High-resolution Imaging of Nuclear Dynamics in Live Cells under Uniaxial Tensile Strain

Published on: June 2, 2019

8.3K
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

12.9K
Equibiaxial Stretching Device for High Magnification Live-Cell Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy
08:41

Equibiaxial Stretching Device for High Magnification Live-Cell Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: June 13, 2025

1.1K

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biophysics
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Mechanical forces are vital for epithelial tissue development and function.
  • Individual cells within a tissue can exhibit varied responses to identical external mechanical stimuli.
  • Strain heterogeneity, or non-uniform cell deformation, is proposed to contribute to tissue robustness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate cellular strain distribution in Xenopus laevis epithelial explants under uniaxial strain.
  • To identify factors contributing to strain heterogeneity at the cellular level.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms of force transmission and dissipation within epithelial cells.

Main Methods:

  • Applied uniaxial strain to Xenopus laevis epithelial explants.
  • Utilized live imaging and quantitative image analysis to assess cellular strain.
  • Employed an image analysis pipeline to examine cell morphology and intrinsic material properties (Poisson index).
  • Used vinculin force sensors and laser ablation to map cellular force distribution.

Main Results:

  • Despite uniform tissue-level strain, cellular strain was significantly heterogeneous.
  • Intrinsic cell material properties, particularly the Poisson index, showed the strongest correlation with strain heterogeneity.
  • Forces are predominantly transmitted via the medio-apical actomyosin cortex.
  • Junctional actomyosin plays a role in force dissipation and remodeling.

Conclusions:

  • Cellular mechanical response variability is influenced by intrinsic material properties.
  • Distinct actomyosin networks (medio-apical vs. junctional) have specialized roles in mechanical adaptation.
  • These findings enhance understanding of epithelial resilience and adaptive remodeling under mechanical stress.