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The implementation of geometrically nonlinear analysis of the elastic deformation of frame structures for application in two biology related problems is the focus of this project. The manipulation of single biological cells with force feedback is the first appli-cation. Towards this, a vision-based force sensing technique is developed using miniature slender arches and beams. The digital images of such manipulating flexible structures captured using a charge-coupled-device (CCD) camera are used to estimate the force(s) of interaction. This involves an inverse problem in elasticity. The general technique where the location, the direction, and the magnitude of the loading are not known is found to be overly sensitive to errors in the measurement of displacements. Hence, a practically useful and accurate technique is developed by assuming the location of the applied force. The results of the numerical experiments are validated with the experi-mental data obtained using spring-steel prototypes manufactured using electric discharge machining (EDM). The second application of the nonlinear analysis of frames is an in-vestigation related to the compliance of plant stems. By noting that the stems of cerea