AUTHOR=Narasimhan Badri Narayanan , Ting Matthew S. , Kollmetz Tarek , Horrocks Matthew S. , Chalard Anaïs E. , Malmström Jenny TITLE=Mechanical Characterization for Cellular Mechanobiology: Current Trends and Future Prospects JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2020 YEAR=2020 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2020.595978 DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2020.595978 ISSN=2296-4185 ABSTRACT=

Accurate mechanical characterization of adherent cells and their substrates is important for understanding the influence of mechanical properties on cells themselves. Recent mechanobiology studies outline the importance of mechanical parameters, such as stress relaxation and strain stiffening on the behavior of cells. Numerous techniques exist for probing mechanical properties and it is vital to understand the benefits of each technique and how they relate to each other. This mini review aims to guide the reader through the toolbox of mechanical characterization techniques by presenting well-established and emerging methods currently used to assess mechanical properties of substrates and cells.