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

5.8K
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...
5.8K
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

3.8K
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...
3.8K
Cell Motility through Blebbing01:16

Cell Motility through Blebbing

2.7K
Blebs are a type of membrane protrusion formed by the internal hydrostatic pressure of the cytoplasm. Blebs are observed in several cell types, including fibroblasts, immune cells, and single-celled organisms like the amoeba. The primary function of blebs is cell locomotion and apoptosis, but they are also found during necrosis and cell division. The life cycle of a bleb comprises an initiation phase followed by the expansion and retraction phases.
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...
2.7K
Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:12

Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments

6.9K
The cytoskeleton is a complex dynamic structure performing varied functions based on cellular requirements. The adaptability of the individual filaments in the cytoskeleton determines their ability to perform various functions within the cell. It can undergo rapid reorganization during processes like cell division or remain stable for several hours as in the interphase. The adaptability of these filaments depends on stringent regulatory mechanisms. The microfilament and microtubules of the...
6.9K
Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

6.5K
Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated...
6.5K
Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

Studying the Cytoskeleton

10.5K
The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...
10.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Isotropic shrinkage of patterned vacancies enables three-dimensional nanoprecise metastructures for visible light applications.

Nature photonics·2026
Same author

Scanless temporal focusing enables high-speed three-dimensional quantitative phase microscopy.

Research square·2026
Same author

Scanless temporal focusing enables high-speed three-dimensional quantitative phase microscopy.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

MultiCell: geometric learning in multicellular development.

Nature methods·2025
Same author

Multi-photon, label-free photoacoustic and optical imaging of NADH in brain cells.

Light, science & applications·2025
Same author

Vimentin intermediate filaments as structural and mechanical coordinators of mesenchymal cells.

Nature cell biology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Live Cell Response to Mechanical Stimulation Studied by Integrated Optical and Atomic Force Microscopy
09:20

Live Cell Response to Mechanical Stimulation Studied by Integrated Optical and Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: October 4, 2010

11.8K

Aging changes cell mechanics and dynamics associated with cytoplasmic crowding.

Lani D Lee1, Yuechuan Lin1, Krishna C Penumatsa2

  • 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.

PNAS Nexus
|April 14, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Aging increases cytoplasmic stiffness and reduces intracellular movement in cells, leading to physical changes. This cellular crowding in aged cells impacts their behavior and aging processes.

Keywords:
agingcell mechanicscytoplasmintracellular crowding

More Related Videos

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

5.9K
Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events
08:30

Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events

Published on: August 27, 2019

8.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Live Cell Response to Mechanical Stimulation Studied by Integrated Optical and Atomic Force Microscopy
09:20

Live Cell Response to Mechanical Stimulation Studied by Integrated Optical and Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: October 4, 2010

11.8K
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

5.9K
Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events
08:30

Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events

Published on: August 27, 2019

8.6K

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Aging Research

Background:

  • Aging causes poorly understood cellular physical changes.
  • The cytoplasm's role in aging is largely unknown.
  • Cytoplasmic properties are crucial for cellular functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate morphological and dynamic changes in aging cells.
  • Relate cellular changes to the physical state of the cytoplasm.
  • Understand the physical mechanisms behind cellular aging.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized aging mice models.
  • Employed particle fluctuation, optical tweezers, and force spectrum microscopy.
  • Applied tomographic phase microscopy.

Main Results:

  • Aged cells exhibit larger, rounder morphology and slower migration.
  • Cytoplasmic stiffness increases, and intracellular movement decreases with age.
  • Increased refractive index indicates a denser, more crowded cytoplasm in aged cells.

Conclusions:

  • Aging leads to increased cytoplasmic density and stiffness.
  • Cellular crowding and altered physical properties influence aged cell behavior.
  • Physical changes in the cytoplasm are a key mechanism in cellular aging.