Molecular force sensors are a powerful tool for studying the mechanics of cells. These sensors not only provide information on the general mechanical behavior of cells but also can help elucidate the mechanical markers of disease formation and progression. For example, can we use cell mechanics as a biomarker to diagnose cancer? What are the mechanics associated with immune system function? Can cell mechanics be used to better understand the effect of drug treatments? The number of available questions in the field of mechanobiology is endless. After reading this e-book, you will be equipped with the information needed to begin designing your own molecular force sensors, and to begin answering the multitude of questions surrounding cell mechanobiology.

Stromal Signaling in Cancer, Volume 154 in the Advances in Cancer Research series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on a variety of timely topics surrounding cancer research. Each chapter is written by an international board of authors. - Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors - Presents the latest release in the Advances in Cancer Research series - Updated release includes the latest information on Stromal Signaling in Cancer

Molecular Sensors and Nanodevices: Principles, Designs and Applications in Biomedical Engineering, Second Edition is designed to be used as a foundational text, aimed at graduates, advanced undergraduates, early-career engineers and clinicians. The book presents the essential principles of molecular sensors, including theories, fabrication techniques and reviews. In addition, important devices and recently, highly-cited research outcomes are also cited. This differentiates the book from other titles on the market whose primary focus is more research-oriented and aimed at more of a niche market. - Covers the fundamental principles of device engineering and molecular sensing, sensor theories and applications in biomedical science and engineering - Introduces nano/micro fabrication techniques, including MEMS, bioMEMS, microTAS and nanomaterials science that are essential in the miniaturization of versatile molecular sensors - Explores applications of nanomaterials and biomaterials, including proteins, DNAs, nanoparticles, quantum dots, nanotubes/wires and graphene in biomedicine

This book presents the latest developments in noncontact atomic force microscopy. It deals with the following outstanding functions and applications that have been obtained with atomic resolution after the publication of volume 2: (1) Pauli repulsive force imaging of molecular structure, (2) Applications of force spectroscopy and force mapping with atomic resolution, (3) Applications of tuning forks, (4) Applications of atomic/molecular manipulation, (5) Applications of magnetic exchange force microscopy, (6) Applications of atomic and molecular imaging in liquids, (7) Applications of combined AFM/STM with atomic resolution, and (8) New technologies in dynamic force microscopy. These results and technologies are now expanding the capacity of the NC-AFM with imaging functions on an atomic scale toward making them characterization and manipulation tools of individual atoms/molecules and nanostructures, with outstanding capability at the level of molecular, atomic, and subatomic resolution. Since the publication of vol. 2 of the book Noncontact Atomic Force Microscopy in 2009 the noncontact atomic force microscope, which can image even insulators with atomic resolution, has achieved remarkable progress. The NC-AFM is now becoming crucial for nanoscience and nanotechnology.

The atomic force microscope (AFM) has become one of the leading nanoscale measurement techniques for materials science since its creation in the 1980's, but has been gaining popularity in a seemingly unrelated field of science: biology. The AFM naturally lends itself to investigating the topological surfaces of biological objects, from whole cells to protein particulates, and can also be used to determine physical properties such as Young's modulus, stiffness, molecular bond strength, surface friction, and many more. One of the most important reasons for the rise of biological AFM is that you can measure materials within a physiologically relevant environment (i.e. liquids). This book is a collection of works beginning with an introduction to the AFM along with techniques and methods of sample preparation. Then the book displays current research covering subjects ranging from nano-particulates, proteins, DNA, viruses, cellular structures, and the characterization of living cells.

This book draws on the main themes covered during the International Workshop on Molecular Architectonics which took place in Shiretoko, Japan from August 3 to 6, 2015. The concepts and results explored in this book relate to the term “molecular architectonics” which stands for electronic, optical and information-processing functions being orchestrated by molecular assemblies. This area is defined as the third stage of single-molecule electronics and builds on stage one, where measurements were performed on single-molecule layered films, and stage two, the resulting quantitative analyses. In this work, experts come together to write about the most important aspects of molecular architectonics. This interdisciplinary, visionary and unique book is of interest to scientists working on electronic materials, surface science and information processing sciences using noise and fluctuation.

Functional Tactile Sensors: Materials, Devices and Integrations focuses on the subject of novel materials design and device integration of tactile sensors for functional applications. The book addresses the design, materials characteristics, device operation principles, specialized device application and mechanisms of the latest reported tactile sensors. The emphasis of the book lies in the materials science aspects of tactile sensors—understanding the relationship between material properties and device performance. It will be an ideal resource for researchers working in materials science, engineering and physics. - Includes the latest advances and recent developments in tactile sensors for artificial intelligence applications - Reviews the relationship between materials properties and device performance - Addresses materials and device design strategies for targeted sensing applications

This detailed book collects methodologies exploring mechanobiology, the involvement of mechanical forces in cell fate specification and in controlling single and collective cell behaviors such as directed migration, morphogenesis, wound healing, and the immune response. The volume features methods to quantify the mechanical properties of cells and adhesion proteins, to expose cells to external mechanical forces, to quantitatively characterize mechano-responses at various scales, to measure forces applied by cells on the extracellular matrix, as well as chapters on force measurement inside cells, probing cell signaling and gene expression in response to force, and biophysical modeling of cell shape and protein dynamics. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary material and reagents, step-by-step and readily reproducible protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Mechanobiology: Methods and Protocols aims to provide meaningful tools for cell and developmental biologists approaching the study of cell and tissue dynamics from a mechanobiological perspective, molecular biologists interested in the effects of force on proteins, as well as for cancer biologists and biophysicists.

DNA ORIGAMI Discover the impact and multidisciplinary applications of this subfield of DNA nanotechnology DNA origami refers to the technique of assembling single-stranded DNA template molecules into target two- and three-dimensional shapes at the nanoscale. This is accomplished by annealing templates with hundreds of DNA strands and then binding them through the specific base-pairing of complementary bases. The inherent properties of these DNA molecules—molecular recognition, self-assembly, programmability, and structural predictability—has given rise to intriguing applications from drug delivery systems to uses in circuitry in plasmonic devices. The first book to examine this important subfield, DNA Origami brings together leading experts from all fields to explain the current state and future directions of this cutting-edge avenue of study. The book begins by providing a detailed examination of structural design and assembly systems and their applications. As DNA origami technology is growing in popularity in the disciplines of chemistry, materials science, physics, biophysics, biology, and medicine, interdisciplinary studies are classified and discussed in detail. In particular, the book focuses on DNA origami used for creating new functional materials (combining chemistry and materials science; DNA origami for single-molecule analysis and measurements (as applied in physics and biophysics); and DNA origami for biological detection, diagnosis and therapeutics (medical and biological applications). DNA Origami readers will also find: A complete guide for newcomers that brings together fundamental and developmental aspects of DNA origami technology Contributions by a leading team of experts that bring expert views from different angles of the structural developments and applications of DNA origami An emerging and impactful research topic that will be of interest in numerous multidisciplinary areas A helpful list of references provided at the end of each chapter to give avenues for further study Given the wide scope found in this groundbreaking work, DNA Origami is a perfect resource for nanotechnologists, biologists, biophysicists, chemists, materials scientists, medical scientists, and pharmaceutical researchers.