Mechanics of Motor Proteins and the Cytoskeleton provides a physical foundation for molecular mechanics. Part I explains how small particles like proteins respond to mechanical, thermal, and chemical forces, Part II focuses on cytoskeletal filaments, and Part III focuses on motor proteins. The treatments are unified in the respect that they are organized around principles rather than proteins: chapters are centred on topics such as structure, chemistry, and mechanics, and different filaments or motors are discussed together.

A Top 25 CHOICE 2016 Title, and recipient of the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title (OAT) Award. How much energy is released in ATP hydrolysis? How many mRNAs are in a cell? How genetically similar are two random people? What is faster, transcription or translation?Cell Biology by the Numbers explores these questions and dozens of others provid

A Unified Microscopic Approach to Analyzing Complex Processes in Molecular MotorsMotor Proteins and Molecular Motors explores the mechanisms of cellular functioning associated with several specific enzymatic molecules called motor proteins. Motor proteins, also known as molecular motors, play important roles in living systems by supporting cellular

This book presents a full spectrum of views on current approaches to modeling cell mechanics. The authors come from the biophysics, bioengineering and physical chemistry communities and each joins the discussion with a unique perspective on biological systems. Consequently, the approaches range from finite element methods commonly used in continuum mechanics to models of the cytoskeleton as a cross-linked polymer network to models of glassy materials and gels. Studies reflect both the static, instantaneous nature of the structure, as well as its dynamic nature due to polymerization and the full array of biological processes. While it is unlikely that a single unifying approach will evolve from this diversity, it is the hope that a better appreciation of the various perspectives will lead to a highly coordinated approach to exploring the essential problems and better discussions among investigators with differing views.

Explores a Range of Multiscale Biomechanics/Mechanobiology ConceptsCell and Matrix Mechanics presents cutting-edge research at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels in the field of cell mechanics. This book involves key experts in the field, and covers crucial areas of cell and tissue mechanics, with an emphasis on the roles of mechanical forc

Explores a Range of Multiscale Biomechanics/Mechanobiology Concepts Cell and Matrix Mechanics presents cutting-edge research at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels in the field of cell mechanics. This book involves key experts in the field, and covers crucial areas of cell and tissue mechanics, with an emphasis on the roles of mechanical forces in cell–matrix interactions. Providing material in each chapter that builds on the previous chapters, it effectively integrates length scales and contains, for each length scale, key experimental observations and corresponding quantitative theoretical models. Summarizes the Three Hierarchical Levels of Cell Mechanics The book contains 14 chapters and is organized into three sections. The first section focuses on the molecular level, the second section details mechanics at the cellular level, and the third section explores cellular mechanics at the tissue level. The authors offer a thorough description of the roles of mechanical forces in cell and tissue biology, and include specific examples. They incorporate descriptions of associated theoretical models, and provide the data and modeling framework needed for a multi-scale analysis. In addition, they highlight the pioneering studies in cell–matrix mechanics by Albert K. Harris. The topics covered include: The passive and active mechanical properties of cytoskeletal polymers and associated motor proteins along with the behavior of polymer networks The mechanical properties of the cell membrane, with an emphasis on membrane protein activation caused by membrane forces The hierarchical organization of collagen fibrils, revealing that a delicate balance exists between specific and nonspecific interactions to result in a structure with semicrystalline order as well as loose associations The roles of matrix mechanical properties on cell adhesion and function along with different mechanical mechanisms of cell–cell interactions The effects of mechanical loading on cell cytoskeletal remodeling, summarizing various modeling approaches that explain possible mechanisms regulating the alignment of actin stress fibers in response to stretching The mechanical testing of cell-populated collagen matrices, along with theory relating the passive and active mechanical properties of the engineered tissues Cell migration behavior in 3-D matrices and in collective cell motility The role of mechanics in cartilage development The roles of both cellular and external forces on tissue morphogenesis The roles of mechanical forces on tumor growth and cancer metastasis Cell and Matrix Mechanics succinctly and systematically explains the roles of mechanical forces in cell–matrix biology. Practitioners and researchers in engineering and physics, as well as graduate students in biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering related to mechanobiology, can benefit from this work.