Mechanobiology: Introduction and Cellular Responses

This lecture introduces the field of mechanobiology, exploring the application of mechanical principles to living organisms. Topics include the history of biomechanics, mechanobiology in hearing, mechanotransduction, and the regulation of cell physiology. The lecture covers the structure and function of proteins, DNA, RNA, and the central dogma of molecular biology. It also delves into the mechanical properties of living tissues, such as linear and nonlinear elasticity, viscoelasticity, poroelasticity, and plasticity. The discussion extends to biopolymer networks, cellular interactions with the extracellular matrix, and models for cytoskeletal filaments and motors. The lecture concludes with an overview of active control over network mechanics, mechanical interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix, and other relevant concepts in mechanobiology.