This book bridges the gap between life sciences and physical sciences by providing several perspectives on cellular and molecular mechanics on a fundamental level. It begins with a general introduction to the scales and terms that are used in the field of cellular and molecular biomechanics and then moves from the molecular scale to the tissue scale. It discusses various tissues or cellular systems through the chapters written by prominent engineers and physicists working in various fields of biomechanics.
"Big picture" items, such as the number of atoms in cells and the number of cells in an organism, are discussed, followed by several of the physical laws that play a central role in nanoscale biomechanics, including the mechanics of the nucleus and its associated molecules. The book provides several case studies in atomic force microscopy and examines the physical relationship between living cells and laboratory substrata. It delves deeply into the molecular mechanisms of axonal growth, transport, and repair and provides a mechanistic framework for understanding the underlying molecular conditions that contribute to heart disease. While the quantitative and straightforward language of the book will help the engineering community grasp the concepts better and utilize them effectively, the questions given in each chapter will encourage upper-level undergraduate students, graduate students, or those generally interested in understanding cellular and molecular mechanics to dig deeper into the material. The complimentary solutions manual is available for qualified instructors upon request.
Introduction
Brief overview of numbers and scales
History of cell mechanics
Outline of the book
Problems
Mechanics of Single Molecules and Single Proteins
Macromolecules, small molecules, and machines: How are they alike? How do they differ?
Thermal energy, equipartition, and the Boltzmann distribution
Thermal ratchets: what are they? A practical definition
Detailed balance
Entropy and enthalpy
Two ways to model a chemomechanical transition: macromechanical view versus statistical mechanics view – when do they apply?
Conclusions
Problems
Nucleus Mechanics
DNA
Lamins
Whole nucleus properties
Problems
Nanoscale Imaging and Modeling
The structures of entropy partitioning
Atomic force microscopy
Further Considerations
Questions
Cell-substrate Interactions
Introduction
Effect of substrate stiffness and matrix ligand on cell morphology
Morphology: Integration of biochemical and biophysical factors
Effect of substrate stiffness and matrix ligand on cell motility
Motility: Integration of biochemical and biophysical factors
Effect of substrate stiffness and matrix ligand on cell mechanics
Cell mechanics: Integration of biochemical and biophysical factors
Changes in substrate stiffness in disease
Cell-Substrate Mechanics: Conclusions
Axonal Transport and Neuromechanics
Introduction
Structural organization within the neuron
Axonal Transport of the Cytoskeleton
Neuromechanics
Summary and Outlook
Implications for Disease – Valvular Fibrosis and the Myofibroblast
Introduction
The Myofibroblast
Mechanical Regulation of Valvular Fibrosis
Conclusions
Index
References
Biography
Bradley E. Layton is associate professor in the Applied Computing and Engineering Technology Department and an affiliated faculty in the Biophysics and Biochemistry Program at the University of Montana, USA. He earned his PhD in biomedical engineering and MS in mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan, USA. He also holds an SB in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, and a Professional Engineer’s license. Prof. Layton is an editor for the Institute of Electrical Engineering and Electronics and Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, and a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering and the Order of the Engineer. He is an avid bicycle builder, cyclist, kayaker, and a former member of the United States National Rowing Team. He lives with his wife and two children in the Rattlesnake Valley in Missoula, Montana.