Cell Mechanics

Yu‐Li Wang and Dennis E. Discher (Eds.)9780123705006, 0123705002

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

---

Table of contents :
Content:
Basic Rheology for Biologists Review Article
Pages 1,3-27
Paul A. Janmey, Penelope C. Georges, Søren Hvidt

Polyacrylamide Hydrogels for Cell Mechanics: Steps Toward Optimization and Alternative Uses Review Article
Pages 29-46
Casey E. Kandow, Penelope C. Georges, Paul A. Janmey, Karen A. Beningo

Microscopic Methods for Measuring the Elasticity of Gel Substrates for Cell Culture: Microspheres, Microindenters, and Atomic Force Microscopy Review Article
Pages 47-65
Margo T. Frey, Adam Engler, Dennis E. Discher, Juliet Lee, Yu‐Li Wang

Surface Patterning Review Article
Pages 67-87
Irene Y. Tsai, Alfred J. Crosby, Thomas P. Russell

Molecular Engineering of Cellular Environments: Cell Adhesion to Nano‐Digital Surfaces Review Article
Pages 89-111
Joachim P. Spatz, Benjamin Geiger

Probing Cellular Mechanical Responses to Stimuli Using Ballistic Intracellular Nanorheology Review Article
Pages 113,115-140
Porntula Panorchan, Jerry S.H. Lee, Brian R. Daniels, Thomas P. Kole, Yiider Tseng, Denis Wirtz

Multiple‐Particle Tracking and Two‐Point Microrheology in Cells Review Article
Pages 141-178
John C. Crocker, Brenton D. Hoffman

Imaging Stress Propagation in the Cytoplasm of a Living Cell Review Article
Pages 179-198
Ning Wang, Shaohua Hu, James P. Butler

Probing Intracellular Force Distributions by High‐Resolution Live Cell Imaging and Inverse Dynamics Review Article
Pages 199-235
Lin Ji, Dinah Loerke, Margaret Gardel, Gaudenz Danuser

Analysis of Microtubule Curvature Review Article
Pages 237-268
Andrew D. Bicek, Erkan Tüzel, Daniel M. Kroll, David J. Odde

Nuclear Mechanics and Methods Review Article
Pages 269-294
Jan Lammerding, Kris Noel Dahl, Dennis E. Discher, Roger D. Kamm

The Use of Gelatin Substrates for Traction Force Microscopy in Rapidly Moving Cells Review Article
Pages 295,297-312
Juliet Lee

Microfabricated Silicone Elastomeric Post Arrays for Measuring Traction Forces of Adherent Cells Review Article
Pages 313-328
Nathan J. Sniadecki, Christopher S. Chen

Cell Adhesion Strengthening: Measurement and Analysis Review Article
Pages 329-346
Kristin E. Michael, Andrés J. García

Studying the Mechanics of Cellular Processes by Atomic Force Microscopy Review Article
Pages 347-372
Manfred Radmacher

Using Force to Probe Single‐Molecule Receptor–Cytoskeletal Anchoring Beneath the Surface of a Living Cell Review Article
Pages 373-396
Evan Evans, Koji Kinoshita

High‐Throughput Rheological Measurements with an Optical Stretcher Review Article
Pages 397-423
Bryan Lincoln, Falk Wottawah, Stefan Schinkinger, Susanne Ebert, Jochen Guck

Measuring Mechanical Properties of Embryos and Embryonic Tissues Review Article
Pages 425-439
Lance Davidson, Ray Keller

Tools to Study Cell Mechanics and Mechanotransduction Review Article
Pages 441,443-472
Tanmay P. Lele, Julia E. Sero, Benjamin D. Matthews, Sanjay Kumar, Shannon Xia, Martin Montoya‐Zavala, Thomas Polte, Darryl Overby, Ning Wang, Donald E. Ingber

Magnetic Tweezers in Cell Biology Review Article
Pages 473-493
Monica Tanase, Nicolas Biais, Michael Sheetz

Optical Neuronal Guidance Review Article
Pages 495-520
Allen Ehrlicher, Timo Betz, Björn Stuhrmann, Michael Gögler, Daniel Koch, Kristian Franze, Yunbi Lu, Josef Käs

Microtissue Elasticity: Measurements by Atomic Force Microscopy and Its Influence on Cell Differentiation Review Article
Pages 521-545
Adam J. Engler, Florian Rehfeldt, Shamik Sen, Dennis E. Discher

Demystifying the Effects of a Three‐Dimensional Microenvironment in Tissue Morphogenesis Review Article
Pages 547-583
Kandice R. Johnson, Jennifer L. Leight, Valerie M. Weaver

Series Editors
Page II

Contents
Pages V-XI

Contributors to Volume 83
Pages XIII-XVII

Preface
Pages XIX-XX
Yu‐Li Wang, Denis E. Discher

Subject Index
Pages 585-599

Contents of Previous Volumes
Pages 601-608