© WHITNEY SALGADO
Cells constantly interact with each other and with the surrounding extracellular matrix through physical forces such as tension, pressure, torque, and shear stress. Over the past 50 years, biologists have increasingly come to recognize the important role biomechanics plays in the function of cellular activities such as gene expression and signaling. (See “May the Force Be with You,” The Scientist, February 2017.)
One key tool for studying how physical forces affect cells is the micropipette aspirator, a tiny glass pipette that applies pressure on a section of the cell membrane; testing gene expression, protein levels, or other factors can point to the effect of such forces on the cell. Researchers also use atomic force microscopy, which senses how cells respond to tiny mechanical pokes; apply ...
