Molecular Force Sensors

Abstract

Molecular force sensors are a powerful tool for studying the mechanics of cells. These sensors not only provide information on the general mechanical behavior of cells but also can help elucidate the mechanical markers of disease formation and progression. For example, can we use cell mechanics as a biomarker to diagnose cancer? What are the mechanics associated with immune system function? Can cell mechanics be used to better understand the effect of drug treatments? The number of available questions in the field of mechanobiology is endless. After reading this e-book, you will be equipped with the information needed to begin designing your own molecular force sensors, and to begin answering the multitude of questions surrounding cell mechanobiology. Molecular force sensor development and the study of mechanotransduction are interdisciplinary, and publications in the field often involve teams of researchers from a range of scientific backgrounds. This work is intended to be accessible to advanced undergraduate students and graduate students and should appeal to individuals in the fields of chemistry, physics, engineering, and biology. Rather than providing an exhaustive list of equations or discussing every chemical and biological method used to describe and develop molecular force sensors, the authors include the principles most relevant to developing molecular force sensors and highlight some of the key literature demonstrating the use of such sensors in laboratory settings.