Cell mechanics is the field of study that looks at how cells detect, modify, and respond to the physical properties of the cell environment. Cells communicate with each other through chemical and physical signals which are involved in a range of process from embryogenesis and wound healing to pathological conditions such as cancerous invasion. Similar principles are also likely to be critical for success in regenerative medicine. Cell mechanics is thus central to understanding these principles. As cell mechanics draws from the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and mathematics, this book aims not only to provide a collection of research methods, but also to develop a common language among scientists who share the interest in cell mechanics but enter the field with diverse backgrounds. To this end all of the contributing authors have sought to explain in plain language the nature of the biological problems, the rationale for the approaches, in addition to the methods themselves. In addition, to balance practical utility against conceptual advances, the book has intentionally included both chapters that provide detailed recipes and those that emphasize basic principles.
* Presents a distinctive emphasis on matrix mechanics and their interplay with cell functions
* Includes highly significant topics relevant to basic and translational research, as well as tissue engineering
* Emphasizes mechanical input and output of cells
1. Cover image 2. Title page 3. Series Editors 4. Table of Contents 5. Contributors to Volume 83 6. Preface 7. Part I Basic Concept and Preparation Culture Substrates for Cell Mechanical Studies 8. Basic Rheology for Biologists 9. Polyacrylamide Hydrogels for Cell Mechanics: Steps Toward Optimization and Alternative Uses 10. Microscopic Methods for Measuring the Elasticity of Gel Substrates for Cell Culture: Microspheres, Microindenters, and Atomic Force Microscopy 11. Surface Patterning 12. Molecular Engineering of Cellular Environments: Cell Adhesion to Nano-Digital Surfaces 13. Part II Subcellular Mechanical Properties and Activities 14. Probing Cellular Mechanical Responses to Stimuli Using Ballistic Intracellular Nanorheology 15. Multiple-Particle Tracking and Two-Point Microrheology in Cells 16. Imaging Stress Propagation in the Cytoplasm of a Living Cell 17. Probing Intracellular Force Distributions by High-Resolution Live Cell Imaging and Inverse Dynamics 18. Analysis of Microtubule Curvature 19. Nuclear Mechanics and Methods 20. Part III Cellular and Embryonic Mechanical Properties and Activities 21. The Use of Gelatin Substrates for Traction Force Microscopy in Rapidly Moving Cells 22. Microfabricated Silicone Elastomeric Post Arrays for Measuring Traction Forces of Adherent Cells 23. Cell Adhesion Strengthening: Measurement and Analysis 24. Studying the Mechanics of Cellular Processes by Atomic Force Microscopy 25. Using Force to Probe Single-Molecule Receptor–Cytoskeletal Anchoring Beneath the Surface of a Living Cell 26. High-Throughput Rheological Measurements with an Optical Stretcher 27. Measuring Mechanical Properties of Embryos and Embryonic Tissues 28. Part IV Mechanical Stimuli to Cells 29. Tools to Study Cell Mechanics and Mechanotransduction 30. Magnetic Tweezers in Cell Biology 31. Optical Neuronal Guidance 32. Microtissue Elasticity: Measurements by Atomic Force Microscopy and Its Influence on Cell Differentiation 33. Demystifying the Effects of a Three-Dimensional Microenvironment in Tissue Morphogenesis 34. Subject Index 35. Volumes in Series
Cell mechanics is the field of study that looks at how cells detect, modify, and respond to the physical properties of the cell environment. Cells communicate with each other through chemical and physical signals which are involved in a range of process from embryogenesis and wound healing to pathological conditions such as cancerous invasion. Similar principles are also likely to be critical for success in regenerative medicine. Cell mechanics is thus central to understanding these principles. As cell mechanics draws from the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and mathematics, this book aims not only to provide a collection of research methods, but also to develop a common language among scientists who share the interest in cell mechanics but enter the field with diverse backgrounds. To this end all of the contributing authors have sought to explain in plain language the nature of the biological problems, the rationale for the approaches, in addition to the methods themselves. In addition, to balance practical utility against conceptual advances, the book has intentionally included both chapters that provide detailed recipes and those that emphasize basic principles.
* Presents a distinctive emphasis on matrix mechanics and their interplay with cell functions
* Includes highly significant topics relevant to basic and translational research, as well as tissue engineering
* Emphasizes mechanical input and output of cells
1. Cover image 2. Title page 3. Series Editors 4. Table of Contents 5. Contributors to Volume 83 6. Preface 7. Part I Basic Concept and Preparation Culture Substrates for Cell Mechanical Studies 8. Basic Rheology for Biologists 9. Polyacrylamide Hydrogels for Cell Mechanics: Steps Toward Optimization and Alternative Uses 10. Microscopic Methods for Measuring the Elasticity of Gel Substrates for Cell Culture: Microspheres, Microindenters, and Atomic Force Microscopy 11. Surface Patterning 12. Molecular Engineering of Cellular Environments: Cell Adhesion to Nano-Digital Surfaces 13. Part II Subcellular Mechanical Properties and Activities 14. Probing Cellular Mechanical Responses to Stimuli Using Ballistic Intracellular Nanorheology 15. Multiple-Particle Tracking and Two-Point Microrheology in Cells 16. Imaging Stress Propagation in the Cytoplasm of a Living Cell 17. Probing Intracellular Force Distributions by High-Resolution Live Cell Imaging and Inverse Dynamics 18. Analysis of Microtubule Curvature 19. Nuclear Mechanics and Methods 20. Part III Cellular and Embryonic Mechanical Properties and Activities 21. The Use of Gelatin Substrates for Traction Force Microscopy in Rapidly Moving Cells 22. Microfabricated Silicone Elastomeric Post Arrays for Measuring Traction Forces of Adherent Cells 23. Cell Adhesion Strengthening: Measurement and Analysis 24. Studying the Mechanics of Cellular Processes by Atomic Force Microscopy 25. Using Force to Probe Single-Molecule Receptor–Cytoskeletal Anchoring Beneath the Surface of a Living Cell 26. High-Throughput Rheological Measurements with an Optical Stretcher 27. Measuring Mechanical Properties of Embryos and Embryonic Tissues 28. Part IV Mechanical Stimuli to Cells 29. Tools to Study Cell Mechanics and Mechanotransduction 30. Magnetic Tweezers in Cell Biology 31. Optical Neuronal Guidance 32. Microtissue Elasticity: Measurements by Atomic Force Microscopy and Its Influence on Cell Differentiation 33. Demystifying the Effects of a Three-Dimensional Microenvironment in Tissue Morphogenesis 34. Subject Index 35. Volumes in Series
