Wendy Thomas, Ph.D.
Department of Bioengineering
E-mail: wendyt@u...


TITLE:

"Mechanical Regulation of Biological Adhesion"


ABSTRACT

Many kinds of cells depend on adhesion for survival, whether they bind to other cells in
order to create a tissue or organism, or bind to surfaces to prevent being washed away by
flowing fluids. It might be assumed that drag force applied to the cells by flowing fluid
will weaken adhesion, but in fact many types of cells have evolved adhesive processes
that are strengthened by tensile forces. Some have evolved  "catch bonds" which are
noncovalent bonds between macromolecules on the cells and surface that, like a
children's finger trap, are stronger when pulled by tensile force. These nanoscale catch
bonds are often displayed on microscale organelles that also have mechanical properties
that help cells resist forces. We will discuss how force regulates cellular adhesion at the
nanoscale and the microscale. We will also address applications of force-enhanced
adhesion to adhesive technology.