Abstract
Numerous applications of nanotechnology have been developed to probe the unique mechanical properties of cells. In addition, since biological materials exhibit such a wide spectrum of properties, they offer new concepts for nonbiological biomimetic applications. In this chapter, the viscoelastic properties of a cell and its subcellular compartments are described. First, a qualitative picture is presented of the relevant building blocks: the cytoskeleton, cell membrane, nucleus, adhesive complexes, and motor proteins. Next, the various methods used to probe cellular and subcellular mechanics are described, and some of the quantitative results presented. These measurements are then discussed in the context of several theories and computational methods that have been proposed to help interpret the measurements and provide nanomechanical insight into their origin. Finally, current understanding is summarized in the context of directions for future research.
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Abbreviations
- 2-D:
-
two-dimensional
- ABP:
-
actin binding protein
- AFM:
-
atomic force microscope
- AFM:
-
atomic force microscopy
- ATP:
-
adenosine triphosphate
- BPAG1:
-
bullous pemphigoid antigen 1
- CAS:
-
Crk-associated substrate
- CSK:
-
cytoskeleton
- DNA:
-
deoxyribonucleic acid
- ECM:
-
extracellular matrix
- FA:
-
focal adhesion
- FAK:
-
focal adhesion kinase
- GDP:
-
guanosine diphosphate
- GFP:
-
green fluorescent protein
- GTP:
-
guanosine triphosphate
- IF:
-
intermediate filament
- IF:
-
intermediate-frequency
- KASH:
-
Klarsicht, ANC-1, Syne Homology
- MAPK:
-
mitogen-activated protein kinase
- MEMS:
-
microelectromechanical system
- MscL:
-
mechanosensitive channel of large conductance
- PDMS:
-
polydimethylsiloxane
- PI3K:
-
phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase
- PKC:
-
protein kinase C
- PML:
-
promyelocytic leukemia
- Pax:
-
paxillin
- RGD:
-
arginine–glycine–aspartic
- RNA:
-
ribonucleic acid
- SUN:
-
Sad1p/UNC-84
- VBS:
-
vinculin binding site
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Kamm, R., Lammerding, J., Mofrad, M. (2010). Cellular Nanomechanics. In: Bhushan, B. (eds) Springer Handbook of Nanotechnology. Springer Handbooks. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02525-9_35
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