Biophysics: Cellular Mechanics

Biophysics is an interdisciplinary field that applies physical principles and methods to understand biological systems
Cellular mechanics is a subfield of biophysics that focuses on the mechanical properties and behavior of cells

Cellular stiffness: the ability of a cell to resist deformation under external forces
- Measured using techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and micropipette aspiration
Cellular rheology: the study of the mechanical behavior of cells under different conditions (e.g. stress, strain, frequency)
- Uses techniques such as rheometry and optical tweezers
Cellular traction forces: the forces exerted by cells on their surroundings
- Measured using techniques such as traction force microscopy (TFM)

Elasticity: cells exhibit elastic behavior under small deformations
Viscoelasticity: cells exhibit time-dependent behavior under stress, exhibiting both elastic and viscous properties
Nonlinear behavior: cells exhibit nonlinear behavior under large deformations

Epithelial cells: exhibit high stiffness and are highly resistant to deformation
Endothelial cells: exhibit lower stiffness and are more prone to deformation
Cancer cells: exhibit altered mechanical properties, such as increased stiffness and invasiveness

Atomic force microscopy (AFM): uses a sharp probe to measure cellular stiffness and topography
Micropipette aspiration: uses a glass pipette to measure cellular stiffness and deformability
Rheometry: measures the mechanical behavior of cells under different conditions
Optical tweezers: uses focused laser light to measure cellular stiffness and manipulate cells
Traction force microscopy (TFM): measures the forces exerted by cells on their surroundings

Cancer research: understanding the mechanical properties of cancer cells can inform the development of new treatments
Tissue engineering: understanding the mechanical properties of cells can inform the design of biomaterials and tissue constructs
Wound healing: understanding the mechanical properties of cells can inform the development of new treatments for wound healing

Biophysics is an interdisciplinary field that combines physical principles and methods to understand biological systems
Cellular mechanics is a subfield of biophysics that focuses on the mechanical properties and behavior of cells

Cellular stiffness: the ability of a cell to resist deformation under external forces, measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and micropipette aspiration
Cellular rheology: the study of the mechanical behavior of cells under different conditions (e.g. stress, strain, frequency), using techniques such as rheometry and optical tweezers
Cellular traction forces: the forces exerted by cells on their surroundings, measured using traction force microscopy (TFM)

Elasticity: cells exhibit elastic behavior under small deformations
Viscoelasticity: cells exhibit time-dependent behavior under stress, exhibiting both elastic and viscous properties
Nonlinear behavior: cells exhibit nonlinear behavior under large deformations

Epithelial cells: exhibit high stiffness and are highly resistant to deformation
Endothelial cells: exhibit lower stiffness and are more prone to deformation
Cancer cells: exhibit altered mechanical properties, such as increased stiffness and invasiveness

Atomic force microscopy (AFM): measures cellular stiffness and topography
Micropipette aspiration: measures cellular stiffness and deformability
Rheometry: measures the mechanical behavior of cells under different conditions
Optical tweezers: measures cellular stiffness and manipulates cells
Traction force microscopy (TFM): measures the forces exerted by cells on their surroundings

Cancer research: understanding cellular mechanics can inform the development of new treatments
Tissue engineering: understanding cellular mechanics can inform the design of biomaterials and tissue constructs
Wound healing: understanding cellular mechanics can inform the development of new treatments for wound healing