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Cellular Nanomechanics

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Springer Handbook of Nanotechnology

Part of the book series: Springer Handbooks ((SHB))

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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, 02139, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Roger Kamm

  2. Brigham and Womenʼs Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne St, 02139, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Jan Lammerding

  3. Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, 94720, Berkeley, CA, USA

    Mohammad Mofrad

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  1. Roger Kamm
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  2. Jan Lammerding
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  3. Mohammad Mofrad
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Correspondence to Roger Kamm , Jan Lammerding or Mohammad Mofrad .

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  1. Ohio State University, Nanoprobe Laboratory for Bio- and Nanotechnology and Biomimetics (NLB2), 201 W. 19th Avenue, 43210-1142, Columbus, OH, USA

    Bharat Bhushan

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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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