All articles tagged with #mechanical stress
Scientists discovered that cancer cells respond to physical squeezing by rapidly mobilizing mitochondria to produce extra ATP, aiding DNA repair and survival in stressful environments. This mechanism, observed in lab and patient samples, reveals a new aspect of cellular resilience that could be targeted to prevent cancer spread.
New research reveals that physical pressure from surrounding tissues can trigger epigenetic changes in cancer cells, making them more invasive and resistant by involving proteins like HMGB2 and structural remodeling, which complicates treatment strategies.
Researchers at the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS) have discovered that collagen, the most abundant protein in our bodies, contains sacrificial bonds that snap more quickly than the basic structure, protecting the tissue as a whole. These weak bonds rupture under mechanical stress, localizing damage and minimizing negative impacts on the wider tissue. The findings shed light on collagen's rupture mechanisms, which could aid in understanding tissue degradation, material aging, and advancing tissue engineering techniques. Collagen's sacrificial bonds play a vital role in maintaining the overall integrity of the material and can potentially be enhanced to mitigate damage and enhance resilience.