Novel optical methodologies in studying mechanical signal transduction in mammalian cells

For the last 3 decades evidence has been accumulating that some types of ma mmalian cells respond to their mechanically active environment by altering their morphology, growth rate, and metabolism. The study of such responses is very important in understanding physiological and pathological condition s ranging from bone formation to atherosclerosis. Obtaining this knowledge has been the goal for an active research area in bioengineering termed cell mechanotransduction. The advancement of optical methodologies used in cell biology research has given the tools to elucidate cellular mechanisms that would otherwise be impossible to visualize. Combined with molecular biolog y techniques, they give engineers invaluable tools in understanding the che mical pathways involved in mechanotransduction. Herein we briefly review th e current knowledge on mechanical signal transduction in mammalian cells, f ocusing on the application of novel optical techniques in the ongoing resea rch.