Issue 12, 2014

Mechanics of biological networks: from the cell cytoskeleton to connective tissue

Abstract

From the cell cytoskeleton to connective tissues, fibrous networks are ubiquitous in metazoan life as the key promoters of mechanical strength, support and integrity. In recent decades, the application of physics to biological systems has made substantial strides in elucidating the striking mechanical phenomena observed in such networks, explaining strain stiffening, power law rheology and cytoskeletal fluidisation – all key to the biological function of individual cells and tissues. In this review we focus on the current progress in the field, with a primer into the basic physics of individual filaments and the networks they form. This is followed by a discussion of biological networks in the context of a broad spread of recent in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Graphical abstract: Mechanics of biological networks: from the cell cytoskeleton to connective tissue

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
02 Nov 2013
Accepted
07 Jan 2014
First published
08 Jan 2014

Soft Matter, 2014,10, 1864-1884

Mechanics of biological networks: from the cell cytoskeleton to connective tissue

R. H. Pritchard, Y. Y. Shery Huang and E. M. Terentjev, Soft Matter, 2014, 10, 1864 DOI: 10.1039/C3SM52769G

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