Sensing some resistance: A mechanical model of a cell

Abstract

Cells respond differently depending on mechanical cues in their environment. Understanding these differences is crucial for tissue engineering and to understand how the mechanical micro-environment may affect, for example, cancer growth and invasion. In this seminar, we will present a force-balance model for the contraction of a cell; draw on techniques learnt in undergraduate courses to solve it; and show that this solution offers an insight into how a cell might sense the mechanical properties of its environment.