Review and perspective on soft matter modeling in cellular mechanobiology: cell contact, adhesion, mechanosensing, and motility

Abstract

Mechanical interactions between cells and extracellular matrix are known to regulate cellular processes ranging from cell signaling, spreading, migration, tissue morphogenesis, to cell differentiation, which may even alter cell phenotype and change physical properties of cells. Moreover, understanding cell contact, adhesion, and cellular mechanotransduction has great significance to cell cultures, muscle growth, and wound healing, and some related diseases such as cancer and fibrosis. For these reasons, cell mechanobiology research has become a focal point in the field of molecular and cell biology research receiving much attention from both biologists and biophysicists in recent years. In fact, cellular mechanobiology is an emerging multidisciplinary field that encompasses molecular cell biology, cell developmental biology, bioengineering and biophysics, and soft matter physics and mechanics. In this document, we would like to present an overview on the recent research developments on mechanics of cells and cellular mechanotransduction through the viewpoint of soft matter physics and biophysics, particularly from the perspective of mechanics of soft materials. Specifically, we review the recent research activities in mechanics of soft matter contact and cell behaviors involving experimental observations, mathematical modeling, and computational methods. Finally, the paper provides author’s perspectives on future issues and challenges on modeling and computational aspects.