Fast, high-resolution, non-destructive and quantitative characterization methods are needed
to develop materials with tailored properties at the nanoscale or to understand the …

Solid tumours are often first diagnosed by palpation, suggesting that the tumour is more rigid
than its surrounding environment. Paradoxically, individual cancer cells appear to be softer …

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) allows for nanometer-scale investigation of cells and
molecules. Recent advances have enabled its application in cancer research and diagnosis …

Yes-associated protein (YAP) is regulated by mechanical cues via the interaction of the
Hippo pathway with cytoskeleton. Previous studies showed that YAP plays a role in …

The 3D architecture of tissues bearing tumors impacts on the mechanical microenvironment
of cancer, the accessibility of stromal cells, and the routes of invasion. A myriad of intrinsic …

Actin is a key structural protein that makes up the cytoskeleton of cells, and plays a role in
functions such as division, migration, and vesicle trafficking. It comprises six different cell …

The elastic response of a living cell is affected by its physiological state. This property
provides mechanical fingerprints of a cell's dysfunctionality. The softness (kilopascal range) …

Nanoscience is a booming field incorporating some of the most fundamental questions
concerning structure, function, and applications. The cutting-edge research in nanoscience …

Advances in methods that determine cell mechanical phenotype, or mechanotype, have
demonstrated the utility of biophysical markers in clinical and research applications ranging …

Cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs) as the carriers for intercellular communications to
regulate life activities. Particularly, it is increasingly apparent that mechanical forces play an …