In tissues, many cells are surrounded by and interact with a three-dimensional soft
extracellular matrix (ECM). Both the physical and biochemical properties of the ECM play a …

Mechanical forces are essential to the development and progression of fibrosis, and are
likely to be as important as soluble factors. These forces regulate the phenotype and …

The mechanical properties of extracellular matrices can control the function of cells. Studies
of cellular responses to biomimetic soft materials have been largely restricted to hydrogels …

ABSTRACT A macroscopic compression test utilizing a simple custom‐built instrument was
employed to measure polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastic modulus. PDMS samples with …

We present a new and accurate method to determine the Poisson's ratio of PDMS, using
thermal expansion and an optical surface profilometer. The Poisson's ratio of Sylgard 184 …

The general progression of cancer drug development involves in vitro testing followed by
safety and efficacy evaluation in clinical trials. Due to the expense of bringing candidate …

The myofibroblastic differentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) is a critical event in liver
fibrosis and is part of the final common pathway to cirrhosis in chronic liver disease from all …

Mechanical properties of cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) play important roles in many
biological processes including stem cell differentiation, tumor formation, and wound healing …

Many cell types, including neurons, astrocytes and other cells of the central nervous system,
respond to changes in the extracellular matrix or substrate viscoelasticity, and increased …

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is almost universally fatal, in large part due to a
protective fibrotic barrier generated by tumor-associated stromal (TAS) cells. This barrier is …