Cytoskeletal Mechanics and Rheology

Cells are basic functional units of life and control a wide range of intra- and extra-cellular activities. They are highly complex structures with unique biomechanical properties to withstand the physiological environment as well as mechanical stimuli. Studies related to the mechanics of single cells are aimed at describing the molecular mechanisms responsible for the physical integrity of the cells as well as their biological functions. These studies have significant implications for biotechnology and human health. Recent advanced and innovative experimental techniques for measuring forces at piconewton resolutions and displacements over nano-meter scales have greatly facilitated this area of research. Moreover, tremendous research efforts have been devoted to the development of multiscale multiphysics computational models for the mechanical properties and functions of cells. This chapter reviews recent numerical and experimental studies in the area of cytoskeletal mechanics and rheology. For this purpose, basic modeling techniques for the mechanics of semiflexible actin filaments as well as various experimental and computational methods for measuring the mechanical behavior of cells are discussed.