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Cell and biomolecular mechanics in silico

Nature Materials volume 7, pages 15–23 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Recent developments in computational cell and biomolecular mechanics have provided valuable insights into the mechanical properties of cells, subcellular components and biomolecules, while simultaneously complementing new experimental techniques used for deciphering the structure–function paradigm in living cells. These computational approaches have direct implications in understanding the state of human health and the progress of disease and can therefore aid immensely in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. We provide an overview of the computational approaches that are currently used in understanding various aspects of cell and bimolecular mechanics. Our emphasis is on state-of-the-art techniques and the progress made in addressing key challenges in biomechanics.

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Figure 1: Computational approaches in cell and biomolecular mechanics.
Figure 2: Experimental techniques in cell mechanics and the corresponding continuum-based models.
Figure 3: Biomechanics of the human RBC in health and disease.
Figure 4: Bio-chemo-mechanical model for cell contractility.

© 2006 NAS, USA

Figure 5: Biomechanics of collagen.
Figure 6: Role of mutation on protein folding.

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Acknowledgements

We thank J. W. Hutchinson, R. D. Kamm, M. R. K. Mofrad, L. Mahadevan, A. Boloori, C. M. Stultz, M. J. Buehler, A. Sadrzadeh, B. A. Tafti and V. S. Deshpande for many insightful discussions, and N. Movaghar for her help with the illustrations. This work has been supported by the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University.

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  1. Arvind Gopinath

    Present address: Present address: Engineering Mechanics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore 560064, India,

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  1. School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, 02138, Massachusetts, USA

    Ashkan Vaziri & Arvind Gopinath

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Vaziri, A., Gopinath, A. Cell and biomolecular mechanics in silico. Nature Mater 7, 15–23 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat2040

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