Abstract
This review focuses on novel applications based on multifunctional materials to actuate biological processes. The first section of the work revisits the current knowledge on mechanically dependent biological processes across several scales from subcellular and cellular level to the cell-collective scale (continuum approaches). This analysis presents a wide variety of mechanically dependent biological processes on nervous system behaviour; bone development and healing; collective cell migration. In the second section, this review presents recent advances in smart materials suitable for use as cell substrates or scaffolds, with a special focus on magneto-active polymers (MAPs). Throughout the manuscript, both experimental and computational methodologies applied to the different treated topics are reviewed. Finally, the use of smart polymeric materials in bioengineering applications is discussed.
Highlights
Recent decades have experienced a revolution in our understanding of several biological processes, such as cell migration, development, healing or physiological responses.These processes, further from being independent behaviours, have been demonstrated to highly influence each other, leading to complex multi-physical interplays of different natures
Mechano-electrophysiological response in brain tissue, experimental and modelling insights; (B) bone adaptation to mechanical loading, experimental and modelling insights; (C) cancer cell proliferation and migration depending on mechanical properties of the substrate, experimental and modelling insights; (D) durotaxis in epithelial cell migration depending on mechanical properties of the substrate, experimental and modelling insights
Bone formation with interfragmentary motion needs the presence of the bridging callus, tissue that forms to connect two broken pieces of bone, only appearing under specific strain rates. This soft callus formation phase develops through two processes: (i) endochondral ossification, where Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) differentiate into chondrocytes, creating cartilage tissue; and (ii) intramembranous ossification, where MSCs differentiate into osteoblasts and bone is directly created
Summary
Recent decades have experienced a revolution in our understanding of several biological processes, such as cell migration, development, healing or physiological responses These processes, further from being independent behaviours, have been demonstrated to highly influence each other, leading to complex multi-physical interplays of different natures. Scientists around the world have focused their efforts on developing controllable scaffolds and substrates to take advantage of these mechanical links to influence cells behaviour In this regard, recent works provide novel techniques to smartly design the manufacture of polymeric cell scaffolds and substrates by customizing mechanical properties, such as stiffness, ductility or viscoelasticity.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
