Frank C.P. Yin, M.D., Ph.D.

DEPARTMENT OF Internal Medicine
Keywords: biophysics, cytoskeleton, vascular biology

Every cell in the body is subjected to mechanical forces of some type, e.g. gravity, mechanical deformation or fluid flow shear stress. How the cells respond is determined, in part, by their mechanical properties which affect the distribution of stresses and strains throughout the cell. Our laboratory is interested in many different aspects of cellular mechanics. For example, we are examining cellular responses to mechanical stimuli such as cyclic stretching and shear flow with special attention to the role of the actin cytoskeleton, focal adhesions and extracellular matrix on these responses. We are also using the atomic force microscope as a nano-indenter to measure cellular and subcellular mechanical properties—focusing on the role of the actin cytoskeleton and microtubules. Recent studies have applied engineering methods to more reliably interpret indentation data obtained from the pyramidal-shaped tips. We have also begun studies aimed at quantifying the interaction force between certain ligands and individual cell receptors using atomic force microscopy. All of these studies are performed on living cells under culture conditions.