Researchers are trying to better understand blood flow and how cells move through the body when presented with stress. This research focuses on how cells “know” and respond to externally-applied mechanical forces. It is part of a growing field of research and have developed their own research models.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding the biomechanics of blood flow and the role shear stress plays on cell and protein behavior could help lessen the incidence of cancer metastasis and heart failure, or improve the process of engineering replacement tissues and organs.
- Wan’s research focuses on how biological cells “know” and respond to externally-applied mechanical forces. It is part of a growing field of research, and his research team has developed state-of-art experimental models and devices to explore the mechano-sensing dynamics of red blood cells, circulating cancer cells and primary erythroid cells–red blood cells or their developmental precursors.
- Mechano-biology is an emerging area of science and engineering that focuses on mechanical processes and their effect on cells and protein molecules, on the influence of mechanical process on biological functions and the study of these functions at cellular and molecular levels.
“Mechano-biology is an emerging area of science and engineering that focuses on mechanical processes and their effect on cells and protein molecules, on the influence of mechanical process on biological functions and the study of these functions at cellular and molecular levels.”
