Health Sciences > Systems Biology > Cell-Matrix Mechanics

Cell-Matrix Mechanics posted by duggu on 11/24/2007

Add To Favorites

Abstract/Syllabus

Courseware/Lectures

Test/Tutorials

Course Highlights

This course features a full set of lecture slides.

Course Description

Mechanical forces play a decisive role during development of tissues and organs, during remodeling following injury as well as in normal function. A stress field influences cell function primarily through deformation of the extracellular matrix to which cells are attached. Deformed cells express different biosynthetic activity relative to undeformed cells. The unit cell process paradigm combined with topics in connective tissue mechanics form the basis for discussions of several topics from cell biology, physiology, and medicine

Syllabus

Course Topics

Response of cells and tissues to exogenous mechanical loading.
Endogenous mechanical forces generated by cells (viz., contractile forces generated by connective tissue cells).
Molecular structure-mechanical properties relationships for selected connective tissues.
- Chemical composition of the extracellular matrix of tissues.
- Structure of tissues (viz., connective tissues) at the nanometer, micrometer, and millimeter length scales (including the hierarchical structure of tissues).
- Load-deformation behavior of tissues at the micrometer and millimeter scales.
Interrelationships among the above.

Unique Aspects of the Subject

Assessment of the response of cells and tissues to mechanical forces; discussion of mechano-transduction mechanisms.
Discussion of contraction of connective tissue cells.

Course Textbook

Yannas, I. V. Tissue and Organ Regeneration in Adults. New York: Springer, 2001. ISBN: 0387952144.

This book is supplemented by papers, presentations and readings.

Grading

The course grade is based entirely on the three quizzes.

Calendar

Table for Calendar
LEC #	TOPICS	LECTURERS	KEY DATES
I. Unit Cell Processes and Mechanics of Matrix Molecules and Tissues Structures
1	Clinical Examples of the Roles of Mechanical Forces in Tissues and Organs: The Working Paradigms	Prof. Spector
2	Tissue Structures and Unit Cell Processes	Prof. Spector
3	Cell-Matrix Interactions: Extracellular Matrix Molecules, Adhesion Proteins and Integrins	Prof. Spector
4	Models for the Mechanical Behavior of Porous Scaffolds	Prof. L. Gibson	Homework 1 due
5	Structure-Properties Relationships for Tissues	Prof. Spector
6	Mechanics of Selected Tissues	Prof. S. Socrate
II. Mechanics of Cells: Effects of Exogenous Forces and Endogenous Force Generation
7	Effects of Exogenous Mechanical Forces on Cells	Prof. Spector	Homework 2 due
8	Response of Cells to Substrate Strain	Prof. Spector
9	Endothelial Cell Response to Flow	Prof. C. F. Dewey
10	Quiz 1
11	Measuring Cell Contraction Cell Force Monitor	Brendan Harley
12	Endogenous Mechanical Force Generation by Cells	Prof. Spector
13	Models for Cell Contraction In Vitro and In Vivo	Prof. Spector
14	Mechanical Coupling of Cells with Matrix	Prof. Yannas
15	Cell-matrix Interactions During Wound Closure	Prof. Yannas
16	Blockade of Contraction During Induced Organ Regeneration	Prof. Yannas
17	Review	Prof. Spector
18	Quiz 2
III. Tissue Mechanics
19	Review of Principles of Linear Elastic Mechanics	Prof. Yannas
20	Nonlinear Elasticity: Tendon and Skin	Prof. Yannas
21	Linear Viscoelastic Behavior	Prof. Yannas
22	Response of Articular Cartilage to Mechanical Loading	Prof. A. Grodzinsky
23	Mechanical Behavior of Ligament, Meniscus and Intervertebral Disc	Prof. Spector
24	Mechanical Behavior of Bone	Prof. Spector	Homework 3 due
25	Response of Bone to Mechanical Loading Review	Prof. Spector
26	Quiz 3