As the crucial non-cellular component of tissues, the extracellular matrix (ECM) provides
both physical support and signaling regulation to cells. Some ECM molecules provide a …

As a major component of the human body, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex
biopolymer network. The ECM not only hosts a plethora of biochemical interactions but also …

Living systems operate far from thermodynamic equilibrium. Enzymatic activity can induce
broken detailed balance at the molecular scale. This molecular scale breaking of detailed …

In native states, animal cells of many types are supported by a fibrous network that forms the
main structural component of the ECM. Mechanical interactions between cells and the 3D …

Animal cells in tissues are supported by biopolymer matrices, which typically exhibit highly
nonlinear mechanical properties. While the linear elasticity of the matrix can significantly …

Collagen forms fibrous networks that reinforce tissues and provide an extracellular matrix for
cells. These networks exhibit remarkable strain-stiffening properties that tailor the …

The structure and mechanics of tissues is constantly perturbed by endogenous forces
originated from cells, and at the same time regulate many important cellular functions such …

Live tissues can self‐organize and be described as active materials composed of cells that
generate active stresses through continuous injection of energy. In vitro reconstituted …

Living soft tissues appear to promote the development and maintenance of a preferred
mechanical state within a defined tolerance around a so-called set point. This phenomenon …

Nonlinear stiffening is a ubiquitous property of major types of biopolymers that make up the
extracellular matrices (ECM) including collagen, fibrin, and basement membrane. Within the …