Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuri Kim, Thomas Myeongseok Koo, Ramar Thangam, Myeong Soo Kim, Woo Young Jang, Nayeon Kang, Sunhong Min, Seong Yeol Kim, Letao Yang, Hyunsik Hong, Hee Joon Jung, Eui Kwan Koh, Kapil D. Patel, Sungkyu Lee, Hong En Fu, Yoo Sang Jeon, Bum Chul Park, Soo Young Kim, Steve Park, Junmin Lee, Luo Gu, Dong-Hyun Kim, Tae-Hyung Kim, Ki-Bum Lee, Woong Kyo Jeong, Ramasamy Paulmurugan, Young Keun Kim, Heemin Kang
Summary: The study demonstrates the modulation of integrin recognition and macrophage adhesion by tuning the submolecular ligand size and spacing at the nanoscale level.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nader Al Danaf, Waldemar Schrimpf, Patrick Hirschle, Don C. Lamb, Zhe Ji, Stefan Wuttke
Summary: The study reveals that in metal-organic framework crystals, the migration of organic linkers through postsynthetic exchange process can lead to the accumulation of missing-linker defects, resulting in a gradient of defects within the crystal. This process successfully incorporates bulky functional groups into MOFs, expanding their capability to host complex guest species.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Long Li, Jinglei Hu, Huaping Wu, Fan Song
Summary: Cell adhesion on a supported lipid bilayer functionalized with ligand proteins is widely used to study trans receptor-ligand interaction, with attractive cis-interaction between ligands on the SLB amplifying both affinity and cooperativity of the binding, suggesting careful consideration of ligand-ligand cis-interaction in experiments.
SCIENCE CHINA-PHYSICS MECHANICS & ASTRONOMY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shuyi Qian, Yixiao Dong, Ju Qu, Xuechun Wang, Wang Zhang, Jia Chen, Fan Xu, Meihua Cui, Monica Giomo, Chenhan Liao, Manli Hu, Juan Xu, Ganlu Hu, Jie Zheng, Xianmin Zhu, Anna Urciuolo, Guoping Fan, Nicola Elvassore
Summary: In this study, a facile strategy was proposed to produce precise channel-like hydrogel confinements on a microfluidic device for investigating cancer cell migration and mechanical interactions. The results demonstrated that breast cancer cells migrated faster in stiffer confinements with an adapted migratory phenotype, and the activation of YAP was involved in this process.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jefferson O. Abaricia, Arth H. Shah, Rene Olivares-Navarrete
Summary: Recent studies have shown that neutrophils regulate NET formation in response to physical and mechanical cues from biomaterials through integrin/FAK signaling pathways. Neutrophils on higher stiffness substrates exhibit increased NET formation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, with fibronectin being the most potent inducer of NET formation in a stiffness-dependent manner. Inhibition of FAK activity abolishes the stiffness-dependent increase in NET formation and pro-inflammatory molecule secretion.
Article
Microbiology
Courtney M. Klappenbach, Nicholas M. Negretti, Jesse Aaron, Teng-Leong Chew, Michael E. Konkel
Summary: Our study reveals that C. jejuni infection alters the size and topology of focal adhesions in epithelial cells, leading to changes in cell adhesion strength and motility. The increased phosphorylation of paxillin and altered turnover at focal adhesions may contribute to the effects on cell behavior. Additionally, inhibiting protein synthesis or using specific mutants of C. jejuni can partially reverse these effects, suggesting a potential mechanism for the observed restricted intestinal repair in infected animals.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Josip Augustin Janes, Cornelia Monzel, Daniel Schmidt, Rudolf Merkel, Udo Seifert, Kheya Sengupta, Ana-Suncana Smith
Summary: This article investigates the influence of active fluctuations on reaction kinetics in a medium, using the cell membrane as a paradigmatic example. By deriving binding and unbinding rates from first principles and establishing a model that incorporates both thermal fluctuations and active fluctuations, the authors show that these fluctuations directly impact protein association and dissociation rates.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ruotian Du, Long Li, Jing Ji, Yubo Fan
Summary: Understanding how receptor-ligand binding responds to mechanical stimuli is essential for uncovering the molecular mechanisms of physiological and pathological processes and has implications for drug discovery and biomedical applications. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the effects of mechanical factors such as tension, shear stress, stretch, compression, and substrate stiffness on receptor-ligand binding. It emphasizes the importance of synergistic development of experimental and computational methods for fully understanding in situ receptor-ligand binding, and suggests that future studies should focus on the coupling effects of these mechanical factors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Developmental Biology
Naoya Yamaguchi, Holger Knaut
Summary: Cell-extracellular matrix interactions are essential for cell anchoring and migration, with focal adhesions (FAs) playing a key role. However, the role of FAs in vivo is still not well understood.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tingting Cui, Si Wu, Yue Wei, Hongshuang Qin, Jinsong Ren, Xiaogang Qu
Summary: This study designs a programmable system with biomimetic ligand cluster-mimicking islands, which enables comprehensive cell manipulations such as adhesion, differentiation, and retention. By varying the amount of AuNPs in the islands, the interligand spacing within a cluster can be tunable. The integrated system shows promising results in promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and labeling both in vitro and in vivo, providing fascinating opportunities for regenerative medicine.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zachary D. Lamberty, Ngon T. Tran, Christian D. van Engers, Preetika Karnal, Daniel B. Knorr Jr, Joelle Frechette
Summary: Multidentate hydrogen-bonding interactions are a promising strategy to improve underwater adhesion. Incorporating tridentate alcohol moieties enhances adhesive strength in air and in water, resulting in rate-dependent adhesion. Based on experimental data, we estimate the activation energy and lifetime of these tridentate hydrogen bonds, demonstrating their robustness and cooperative bonding nature underwater.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiao Li, Lasse H. Klausen, Wei Zhang, Zeinab Jahed, Ching-Ting Tsai, Thomas L. Li, Bianxiao Cui
Summary: The presence of nanotopography drastically alters cell behavior, making neurons and stem cells behave as if they were on soft hydrogels when cultured on rigid glass substrates. Rigid nanotopography resembles the effects of soft hydrogels in reducing cell stiffness and membrane tension. Nanotopography reduces focal adhesions and cell stiffness by enhancing endocytosis and subsequent removal of integrin receptors.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Long Li, Xiaohuan Wang, Helong Wu, Yingfeng Shao, Huaping Wu, Fan Song
Summary: The study found that the binding of mobile ligands to adhesion receptors can promote the formation of mesoscale lipid domains, while in the case of immobile ligands, the binding and coalescence of nanoscale lipid clusters depend on the distribution of ligands on the substrate.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuh-Ru Julie Lee, Soichiro Yamada, Su Hao Lo
Summary: Biomolecular condensates formed by liquid-liquid phase separation include GFP-tagged tensin-1 (TNS1) proteins. Live-cell imaging revealed that TNS1 condensates emerge from the disassembling ends of focal adhesions (FAs) and their presence is cell cycle dependent. TNS1 condensates dissolve prior to mitosis and reappear when postmitotic daughter cells form new FAs, containing selected FA proteins and signaling molecules.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ryan Dubay, Eric M. M. Darling, Jason Fiering
Summary: Mechanical properties of biological cells can be measured at scale using emerging microfluidic technologies, which are significantly faster than conventional instrumentation. However, there is a lack of precise and repeatable calibration methods due to the natural variability of cells. This study presents the development of tunable microparticles that can be used for efficient high-throughput measurements of mechanical properties at single-cell resolution.
MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Michele Ciavarella, Shubo Zhang, Huajian Gao, Gabriele Cricri
Summary: Experimental studies on peeling in viscoelastic materials have been conducted for many years, with a focus on 90 or 180 degrees angle. The classical Rivlin energy balance equation is commonly used to determine the velocity-dependent work of fracture. However, the behavior of this velocity dependence remains unexplained and existing models fail to account for it.
JOURNAL OF ADHESION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Christos E. Athanasiou, Xing Liu, Boyu Zhang, Truong Cai, Cristina Ramirez, Nitin P. Padture, Jun Lou, Brian W. Sheldon, Huajian Gao
Summary: Measuring fracture toughness of materials at small scales remains challenging, but the recently developed indentation pillar-splitting method shows promise in improving flexibility for such measurements at the microscale. However, the underlying mechanism of the fracture instability observed in this method is still unclear. In this study, in situ experiments and high-fidelity simulations were combined to provide a comprehensive description of the fracture instability in indentation pillar-splitting. Additionally, a machine-learning-based solution for predicting the critical indentation load of fracture instability was established for broader use of this method by the community.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS OF SOLIDS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Changhong Linghu, Xudong Yang, Yangchengyi Liu, Dong Li, Huajian Gao, Jimmy Hsia
Summary: This study investigates the mechanics of adhesion between shape memory polymers (SMPs) and a rigid spherical indenter through experimental testing, theoretical analysis, and finite element analysis. The results reveal that the orders of magnitude enhancement of adhesion in SMPs compared to conventional elastic adhesion systems is mainly due to the shape locking effect during the transition from the rubbery to glassy states, which increases the effective radius of curvature of the contact surface.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS OF SOLIDS
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Wenwang Wu, Re Xia, Guian Qian, Zengqian Liu, Nima Razavi, Filippo Berto, Huajian Gao
Summary: The rapid progress in advanced manufacturing, multidisciplinary integration, and artificial intelligence has brought about a new era of technological development in the design of lightweight, well-integrated, multifunctional, intelligent, flexible, and biomimetic materials and structures. The authors propose a new research paradigm of mechanostructures to address the limitations of traditional structural research, aiming to achieve target mechanical responses of structures, devices, and equipment in extreme environments by integrating structural design, manufacturing, and performance evaluation.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhenghong Dai, Meaghan C. Doyle, Xing Liu, Mingyu Hu, Qizhong Wang, Christos E. Athanasiou, Yucheng Liu, Brian W. Sheldon, Huajian Gao, Shengzhong (Frank) Liu, Nitin P. Padture
Summary: In this study, the mechanical properties, including elasticity, plasticity, fracture, and creep, relevant to the mechanical reliability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), were systematically investigated. High-quality single-crystals of commonly studied metal-halide perovskites (MHPs) were fabricated and studied. The results provide important parameters for future mechanical behavior and reliability analysis of MHPs and PSCs.
SCRIPTA MATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiao Guo, Xinyu Dong, Guijin Zou, Huajian Gao, Wei Zhai
Summary: We have successfully fabricated a strong and tough hydrogel with architected multiscale hierarchical structures using a freeze-casting-assisted solution substitution strategy. The key factors contributing to its toughness are the microscale anisotropic honeycomb-structured fiber walls and matrix, hydrogen bond-enhanced fibers with nanocrystalline domains, and cross-linked strong polyvinyl alcohol chains with chain-connecting ionic bonds. This study provides insights into the structure-performance mechanisms of tough hierarchically structured hydrogels and offers inspiration for advanced design strategies for other promising hierarchical materials.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yingchao Zhang, Yurong Tan, Jiazheng Lao, Huajian Gao, Jing Yu
Summary: Hydrogels are promising materials for flexible electronics due to their unique properties. This perspective provides an overview of their development in this field, focusing on mechanical properties, interfacial adhesion, and conductivity. Design principles for high-performance hydrogels and potential applications in healthcare are discussed, along with remaining challenges. Considering hydrogel-cell interactions and dynamic properties is important for future research, and continued investment in research and development is necessary to overcome these challenges.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huizhong Bai, Guijin Zou, Hongwei Bao, Suzhi Li, Fei Ma, Huajian Gao
Summary: The friction behavior of multilayer graphene-coated substrates is not solely determined by the Moire superlattices, but also by the competition between interfacial Moire superlattices interactions and the out-of-plane deformation of the surface. Thicker graphene coatings exhibit lower intrinsic friction and higher sliding stability due to the spatial distribution of the atomic contact distance.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Changhong Linghu, Yangchengyi Liu, Yee Yuan Tan, Jun Heng Marcus Sing, Yuxuan Tang, Aiwu Zhou, Xiufeng Wang, Dong Li, Huajian Gao, K. Jimmy Hsia
Summary: Using shape-memory polymers (SMPs), researchers have developed adhesive materials that can overcome the challenges of adhesion on rough surfaces. The adhesive exhibits extraordinary strength in the rubbery state and can easily detach in the glassy state, making it highly switchable. This advancement has the potential to enhance the capabilities of smart adhesives in various applications.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yujia Wang, Fan Xu, Huajian Gao, Xiaoyan Li
Summary: This study introduces a new type of hierarchical lattice, called ISO-COP, which exhibits elastic isotropy and enhanced moduli. The fabricated ISO-COP microlattices demonstrate superior strength compared with existing fractal octet-truss hierarchical lattices.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Anne Marie Z. Tan, Zhi Li, Huajian Gao
Summary: In recent years, complex concentrated alloys (CCAs) have attracted attention for their excellent mechanical properties. However, the effect of chemical inhomogeneity on dislocation nucleation and incipient plasticity in CCAs is not well understood. In this study, a statistical model combining elasticity theory and statistical modeling was used to investigate incipient plasticity in CCAs. The model was validated by molecular dynamics simulations and revealed the influence of spatial variation in the local properties on the nanoindentation-induced plasticity in CCAs.
PHYSICAL REVIEW MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
Yingchao Zhang, Yinji Ma, Jing Yu, Huajian Gao
Summary: Snap-through buckling of bistable structures can be triggered and controlled through deformation caused by an externally applied magnetic field in hard magnetic elastica (HME). The key parameters in the design of HME are the remanent magnetization density after premagnetization and the external magnetic field. Experimental results show that optimal positions of a single magnetization interface and directions of a uniform actuation field can reduce the required actuation field for snapping nearly by half in pre-buckled beams with two-ends fixed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOLIDS AND STRUCTURES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenxin Zhang, Zhi Li, Ruoqi Dang, Thomas T. Tran, Rebecca A. Gallivan, Huajian Gao, Julia R. Greer
Summary: This study investigates the mechanical size effects in nanosized metals, focusing on the hierarchical microstructures and their impact on mechanical properties. By producing nickel nanopillars and conducting compression experiments, the researchers discover the influence of hierarchical microstructures on the mechanical response of nanosized metals.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhuo Chang, Jing Zhang, Yilun Liu, Huajian Gao, Guang-Kui Xu
Summary: In this study, the rheological responses of cardiac tissues at different stages of myocardial infarction (MI) were investigated using atomic force microscopy-based microrheology. It was found that all cardiac tissues exhibited a universal two-stage power-law rheological behavior at different time scales. The power-law exponents discovered in the experiment can capture an inconspicuous initial rheological change, making them suitable as markers for early-stage MI diagnosis.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Weiming Ji, Runhua Zhou, Priyanka Vivegananthan, Mao See Wu, Huajian Gao, Kun Zhou
Summary: This review critically evaluates the latest research on gradient-structured metals and alloys, summarizing their fabrication techniques, strengthening mechanisms, mechanical properties, and discussing potential applications and prospects.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)