Linking Molecular to Cellular Biomechanics With Nano- and Micro-Technology

The link between mechanics and biochemistry has been implicated in a myriad of scientific and medical problem, from orthopedics and cardiovascular medicine, to cell motility and division, to signal transduction and gene expression. Most of these studies have been focused on organ-level issues, yet cellular and molecular level research has become essential over the last decade in this field thanks to the revolutionary developments in genetics, molecular biology, fabrication processes, and biotechnology. Developing the link between molecular and cellular biomechanics through subcellular studies can help uncover the complex interactions requisite for understanding higher order macroscopic behavior. Here, we will explore the link between molecular and cellular research through novel systems of nano- and micro-technology. In this, I will discuss novel technologies that we have developed and are utilizing, which include magnetic needles, three-dimension cell stretching systems, and microfluidics to examine the link between mechanics and biochemistry (including structural regulation through the cytoskeleton). By combining these novel approaches between engineering and biology, this multidisciplinary research can make a tremendous impact on the studies of human health and diseases through advances in fields such as proteomics, tissue engineering, and medical diagnostics.