An Opto-Actuated Hydrogel for Cell Mechanoactuation and Real-Time Force Monitoring.

ABSTRACT: Cellular force sensing and transduction are fundamental processes in development, homeostasis, and disease. To understand how cells detect and integrate mechanical forces, we need non-invasive methods to apply forces at the molecular scale while monitoring cellular responses within physiological contexts. Here, we present a mechanoactuated hydrogel interface that can exert forces on integrin adhesion receptors and allows monitoring of traction force responses in real time. The actuation is achieved by light excitation of a rotary molecular motor presenting an adhesion peptide to bind integrins at the cell membrane and to a hydrogel surface via flexible polymer chains. Illumination results in chain twisting and an applied pulling force on the linked integrin receptors within subcellular ill

SUBMITTER: Kumar R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12915213 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature