How the mechanics of extracellular matrices interacts with cells*

In the last twenty years, we have seen all-round progress in modeling the mechanics of the biopolymer network. Its stability is understood based on Maxwell counting arguments. The lattice-based models numerically predict the phase diagrams and other bulk properties that are consistent with experimental observations. Other analytical theories, such as mean-field approximation and scaling laws, also enlighten our understanding.

Part of the reason behind it being so intensively investigated is that, a good example of biopolymer networks, extra-cellular matrices(ECM), plays a central role in many cellular processes. On the single-cell level, experiments have shown that the ECM interact with biochemical networks in a cell, e.g. inducing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. On multi-cellular levels, the ECM modulates collective biophysical processes like the durotaxis. Deciphering the force pattern behind many collective cellular behaviors is still under its way. We hereby showcase our recent efforts in modeling the couplings between the mechanics of ECM and biology of cells embedded inside the former.