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Fibroblasts are one of the most abundant cell types in connective tissues. These cells are responsible for tissue homeostasis under normal physiological conditions. When tissues are injured, fibroblasts become activated and differentiate into myofibroblasts, which generate large contractions and actively produce extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to facilitate wound closure. Both fibroblasts and myofibroblasts play a critical role in wound healing by generating traction and contractile forces, respectively, to enhance wound contraction. This review focuses on the mechanisms of force generation in fibroblasts and myofibroblasts and techniques for measuring such cellular forces. Such a topic was chosen specifically because of the dual effects that fibroblasts/myofibroblasts have in wound healing process– a suitable amount of force generation and matrix deposition is beneficial for wound healing; excessive force and …