Local force and geometry sensing regulate cell functions

Viola Vogel, Michael Sheetz

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

1600 Scopus citations

Abstract

The shapes of eukaryotic cells and ultimately the organisms that they form are defined by cycles of mechanosensing, mechanotransduction and mechanoresponse. Local sensing of force or geometry is transduced into biochemical signals that result in cell responses even for complex mechanical parameters such as substrate rigidity and cell-level form. These responses regulate cell growth, differentiation, shape changes and cell death. Recent tissue scaffolds that have been engineered at the micro- and nanoscale level now enable better dissection of the mechanosensing, transduction and response mechanisms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)265-275
Number of pages11
JournalNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology
Volume7
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2006
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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