Soft matters in cell adhesion: rigidity sensing on soft elastic substrates

This contribution highlights recent advances in our understanding of the relation between soft matter and biological systems. We first discuss the physical scales of living cells which follow from simple scaling arguments developed in soft matter physics. Then we discuss the way cells sense and reac...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Schwarz, Ulrich S. (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 2007
In: Soft matter
Year: 2007, Volume: 3, Issue: 3, Pages: 263-266
ISSN:1744-6848
DOI:10.1039/B606409D
Online Access:Verlag, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/B606409D
Verlag, Volltext: http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2007/sm/b606409d
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Author Notes:Ulrich Schwarz
Description
Summary:This contribution highlights recent advances in our understanding of the relation between soft matter and biological systems. We first discuss the physical scales of living cells which follow from simple scaling arguments developed in soft matter physics. Then we discuss the way cells sense and react to extracellular stiffness as revealed by recent experiments with soft elastic substrates. Theoretical modelling allows addressing of the physical basis of the underlying mechanotransduction processes and its consequences for the organization of single cells and cell communities in soft environments. In the future, these efforts will also lead to an improved understanding of physiological and artificial tissue.
Item Description:Gesehen am 12.12.2017
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1744-6848
DOI:10.1039/B606409D