Mechanobiology of the Cell
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 5
Special Issue Editor
Interests: light microscopy; mechanobiology; extracellular matrix; cell migration; cell adhesion; talin; actin cortex; mechanotransduction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Cells are dynamic systems that constantly experience and respond to physical forces from their environment. These mechanical cues regulate the cellular architecture, signaling pathways, and gene expression, ultimately influencing cell function, tissue organization, and disease progression. Understanding how cells sense, transduce, and generate mechanical forces—the essence of mechanobiology—is fundamental in unraveling the physical principles that underlie biological processes.
Over the past several years, mechanobiology has grown from a niche concept into a well-established field that bridges physics and biology. This Special Issue will explore the molecular and biophysical mechanisms that define the mechanobiology of the cell. Our objective is to gather research on the following topics:
- Cellular responses to mechanical stimuli, including substrate properties and externally applied forces;
- Mechanotransduction pathways linking forces and molecular signaling;
- Roles of the cytoskeleton, focal adhesions, and extracellular matrix in mediating cellular mechanics;
- Nuclear and chromatin mechanics in cellular regulation;
- Mechanobiological mechanisms in development, tissue homeostasis, and disease;
- Emerging tools and methods for studying the mechanics of living systems.
We welcome original research articles and comprehensive reviews offering new insights into how mechanical and molecular processes intersect to shape cellular behavior. Furthermore, we aim to feature emerging experimental and computational technologies that can advance our understanding of mechanobiological systems.
Ultimately, this Special Issue will serve as a platform for interdisciplinary discussion among researchers in cell biology, biophysics, and molecular sciences. By bringing together diverse perspectives, we hope to advance our knowledge of how mechanical forces contribute to cellular life.
Dr. Zbigniew Baster
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- nuclear and chromatin mechanics
- mechanobiology
- mechanotransduction pathways
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