title: Between a rock and a soft place: recent progress in understanding matrix mechanics.
abstract: The mechanical properties of a cell's surrounding environment play a critical role in modulating cell function, particularly in disease progression. Although simple model systems to study these phenomena have been developed over the last 15 years, several studies indicate that simple models may not adequately capture the complexity surrounding the interplay between matrix mechanics and stiffness. Here, we highlight recent advances in novel technologies, material design strategies, and bioanalytical approaches that have shed new light on the complex interplay between materials, mechanics and biological function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Canada. chris.moraes@mcgill.ca.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moraes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D019245:Compressive Strength / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000502:physiology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology*; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000379:methods; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology