Single-Cell Mechanics: Structural Determinants and Functional Relevance

Urbanska M, Guck J (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Annual Review of Biophysics Annual Reviews

Book Volume: 53

Pages Range: 367-395

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-030822-030629

Abstract

The mechanical phenotype of a cell determines its ability to deform under force and is therefore relevant to cellular functions that require changes in cell shape, such as migration or circulation through the microvasculature. On the practical level, the mechanical phenotype can be used as a global readout of the cell's functional state, a marker for disease diagnostics, or an input for tissue modeling. We focus our review on the current knowledge of structural components that contribute to the determination of the cellular mechanical properties and highlight the physiological processes in which the mechanical phenotype of the cells is of critical relevance. The ongoing efforts to understand how to efficiently measure and control the mechanical properties of cells will define the progress in the field and drive mechanical phenotyping toward clinical applications.

Authors with CRIS profile

Jochen Guck Lehrstuhl für Biologische Optomechanik

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Urbanska, M., & Guck, J. (2024). Single-Cell Mechanics: Structural Determinants and Functional Relevance. Annual Review of Biophysics, 53(1), 367-395. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-biophys-030822-030629

MLA:

Urbanska, Marta, and Jochen Guck. "Single-Cell Mechanics: Structural Determinants and Functional Relevance." Annual Review of Biophysics 53.1 (2024): 367-395.

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