Rheological behavior of living cells is timescale-dependent

Biophys J. 2007 Oct 15;93(8):L39-41. doi: 10.1529/biophysj.107.116582. Epub 2007 Aug 10.

Abstract

The dynamic mechanical behavior of living cells has been proposed to result from timescale-invariant processes governed by the soft glass rheology theory derived from soft matter physics. But this theory is based on experimental measurements over timescales that are shorter than those most relevant for cell growth and function. Here we report results measured over a wider range of timescales which demonstrate that rheological behaviors of living cells are not timescale-invariant. These findings demonstrate that although soft glass rheology appears to accurately predict certain cell mechanical behaviors, it is not a unified model of cell rheology under biologically relevant conditions and thus, alternative mechanisms need to be considered.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Clocks / physiology*
  • Cattle
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Computer Simulation
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology*
  • Mechanotransduction, Cellular / physiology*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Rheology / methods*
  • Time Factors*