Spectral characterization of cell surface motion for mechanistic investigations of cellular mechanobiology.

Understanding the specific mechanisms responsible for anabolic and catabolic responses to static or dynamic force are largely poorly understood. Because of this, most research groups studying mechanotransduction due to dynamic forces employ an empirical approach in deciding what frequencies to apply during experiments. While this has been shown to elucidate valuable information regarding how cells respond under controlled provocation, it is often difficult or impossible to determine a true optimal frequency for force application, as many intracellular complexes are involved in receiving, propagating, and responding to a given stimulus.