Cell Mechanics and Mechanobiology

Mechanical signals are important regulators of cell behavior. Key to understanding their role is the fact that cells are able to sense and respond to mechanical signals. In order to unravel the interplay between mechanics and biology one needs to embrace experimental and computational methods, stemming from engineering as well as biological disciplines, and integrate them into an interdisciplinary research field called mechanobiology. In this chapter we will first describe the structural and mechanical properties of a cell and its components, as these properties will have important consequences for the way mechanical signals are converted into a biochemical response. Experimental techniques to measure and computational models to capture these properties will be highlighted. Once we have addressed some key aspects of cell mechanics, we will continue by describing some key mechanisms of how mechanical signals can modulate cell behavior. Again, insights from experimental as well as computational studies will be reviewed. Given the broadness of the field, we will either focus on generic mechanisms, or limit ourselves to a few examples and case studies.status: publishe