Mechanomedicine: Translating mechanical forces into therapeutic strategies

  • Geraldine M. O'Neill
  • , Cheng Zhu
  • , Dong Hwee Kim
  • , Jennifer Shin*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Mechanomedicine is an emerging interdisciplinary field that applies the principles of mechanobiology to understand, diagnose, and treat disease. Recent advances reveal how mechanical cues such as stiffness, flow, and compression shape cell behavior, tissue function, and disease progression. Leveraging diverse tools, including organ-on-chip platforms, high-resolution force imaging, and synthetic mechanosensors, researchers have uncovered critical links between mechanotransduction and processes such as inflammation, aging, fibrosis, and tumor invasion. From reversible mechanomemory to programmable force-responsive circuits, these discoveries highlight the translational potential of targeting cellular mechanosensing for therapeutic innovation. Moving forward, integrating molecular biology, bioengineering, physics, and medicine will be essential to develop therapies that directly leverage the language of mechanical forces.

Original languageEnglish
Article number040401
JournalAPL Bioengineering
Volume9
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2025 Dec 1

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Author(s).

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Biophysics
  • Biomaterials
  • Biomedical Engineering

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