Cyclic Mechanical Stretch
Cyclic Mechanical Stretch - Related Videos
07:42
Live Cell Imaging during Mechanical Stretch
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Cited by 12 •
2015
A novel imaging protocol was developed using a custom motor-driven mechanical actuator to allow the measurement of real time responses to mechanical strain in live cells. Relevant to mechanobiology, the system can apply strains up to 20% while allowing near real-time imaging with confocal or atomic force microscopy.
25:12
Mechanical Stimulation of Stem Cells Using Cyclic Uniaxial Strain
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Cited by 6 •
2007
It is widely understood that mechanical forces in the body can influence cell differentiation and proliferation. Here we present a video protocol demonstrating the use of a custom-built bioreactor for delivering uniaxial cyclic tensile strain to stem cells cultured on flexible micropatterned substrates.
08:37
Cyclic Voltammetry (CV)
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2023
Source: Laboratory of Dr. Kayla Green — Texas Christian University A Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) experiment involves the scan of a range of potential voltages while measuring current. In the CV experiment, the potential of an immersed, stationary electrode is scanned from a predetermined starting potential to a final value (called the switching potential) and then the reverse scan is obtained. This gives a 'cyclic' sweep of potentials and the current vs. potential curve derived from the data is...
16:46
A Novel Stretching Platform for Applications in Cell and Tissue Mechanobiology
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Cited by 6 •
2014
We present in this article a novel stretching platform that can be used to investigate single cell responses to complex anisotropic biaxial mechanical deformation and quantify the mechanical properties of biological tissues.
09:41
Stretching Micropatterned Cells on a PDMS Membrane
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Cited by 6 •
2014
This manuscript presents a technique to apply or release forces on adherent cells or tissues using unidirectional stretching.
FAQs
Cells convert physical deformation into biological signals through integrins, the cytoskeleton, ion channels, and mechanosensitive signaling pathways. These components detect or transmit changes in substrate or tissue tension, ultimately altering gene expression and cell behavior. Examining these linked responses helps investigators connect an imposed mechanical condition with downstream cellular changes relevant to tissue function and remodeling.
Integrins and the cytoskeleton provide a mechanical connection between the cell and its surrounding substrate or tissue. Ion channels add a route through which force-related changes can influence cellular signaling. Considering these components together is important because cyclic loading may affect multiple sensing and response systems rather than a single isolated pathway. This integrated view supports interpretation of altered gene expression and behavior.
The cyclic pattern matters because it more closely represents the repeated physical forces experienced by tissues than a single deformation would. Repeated expansion and relaxation can expose how cells adjust growth, remodeling, inflammation, and function over time. That makes the approach useful for investigating ongoing mechanical influences in disease models, engineered tissues, and medically relevant tissue systems.
A basic workflow applies controlled tensile deformation to a chosen cell culture, tissue, or biomaterial, then allows the material to expand and relax repeatedly. Investigators can examine resulting changes in cell behavior, gene expression, growth, remodeling, inflammation, or tissue function. Selecting the biological model and loading condition according to the research question helps relate force exposure to a medically relevant outcome.
Cyclic mechanical stretch supports studies of vascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and cardiac tissues by exposing them to controlled repeated loading. It is also useful in tissue engineering and disease modeling, where investigators examine growth, remodeling, inflammation, or function under mechanically relevant conditions. In therapeutic research, the approach can help evaluate how candidate strategies perform when tissues experience recurring physical forces.
Observed responses can reveal whether repeated loading is associated with changes in growth, remodeling, inflammation, or tissue function. Linking those outcomes to gene expression and cell behavior provides a way to study mechanobiological responses rather than viewing force as merely a structural variable. This information can guide disease models, engineered tissue studies, and evaluation of therapeutic strategies in medicine.