Mechanics in cell adhesion and motility on the elastic substrates

Cell functions are known to be regulated not only by the biochemical or physiological conditions of extracellular milieu but also by the mechanical conditions of substrate surface or extracellular matrix. The detailed understandings for the cellular responses induced by such mechanical field or mechanical stimuli, and its application for systematic design of mechanical field of cell culture substrate are expected to establish solid basis for constructing high-functional cell manipulation materials. Especially, cell manipulation by the elastic substrates has recently drawn a strong attention in relation to the stem cell manipulation technologies. In this mini-review, to address the mechanical design of elastic interface for cell manipulation, we will focus on the mechanics of cell adhesion and the cell motility manipulation as the dynamical control of adhesion mechanics. The potential application of the systematic design of micromechanical environment of elastic substrate for cell functional regulation is discussed.