T. Betz

Analytical method for reconstructing the stress on a spherical particle from its surface deformation

This paper introduces an analytical method to reconstruct mechanical stress on spherical particles from their surface deformation, demonstrating its efficiency and generality.

CFM: Confinement Force Microscopy-a dynamic, precise and stable microconfiner for traction force microscopy in spatial confinement

This paper introduces CFM, a method to dynamically control and measure traction forces in confined environments, revealing two phases of cellular response to confinement.

Intracellular mechanical fingerprint reveals cell type-specific mechanical differences

The paper defines a mechanical fingerprint to characterize intracellular mechanical states and reveals cell type-specific differences related to biological function.

Culture substrate stiffness impacts human myoblast contractility-dependent proliferation and nuclear envelope wrinkling

This study shows that fibronectin promotes stronger stiffness-dependent responses in human myoblasts compared to laminin and collagen, with softer substrates increasing nuclear wrinkling linked to proliferation.

Dystrophin is a mechanical tension modulator

This study shows that dystrophin modulates baseline homeostatic tension in skeletal muscle, linking increased tissue tension to DMD pathogenesis.

Onsager regression characterizes living systems in passive measurements

This paper introduces a new observable, mean back relaxation, to detect non-equilibrium dynamics in living systems using passive measurements.

Human endothelial cells display a rapid and fluid flow dependent tensional stress increase in response to tumor necrosis factor-α

This study shows that TNF-α rapidly increases mechanical tension in human endothelial cells within 4 minutes, which can be reversed by shear flow.

2.5D Tractions in monocytes reveal mesoscale mechanics of podosomes during substrate indenting cell protrusion

This study examines mesoscale mechanical forces in podosome clusters of monocytes, revealing that collective behavior arises from network contraction and buckling, not just individual podosome mechanics.

Pressure drives rapid burst-like collective migration from 3D cancer aggregates

The paper demonstrates that pressure differences inside 3D cancer aggregates drive rapid burst-like collective migration in HeLa cells, independent of ECM pulling forces.

Designing a high-resolution, LEGO-based microscope for an educational setting

The paper designs a low-cost, LEGO-based microscope for educational use, showing it can resolve micrometer-sized objects and improve student understanding of microscopy.

The force loading rate drives cell mechanosensing through both reinforcement and fluidization

This study shows that the rate of force application drives cell mechanosensing through reinforcement and fluidization mechanisms.

Intracellular softening and fluidification reveals a mechanical switch of cytoskeletal material contributions during division

The paper shows that during cell division, the cytoplasm softens and fluidifies, with microtubules and actin switching roles in controlling mechanical properties.

Microchip based microrheology via Acoustic Force Spectroscopy shows that endothelial cell mechanics follows a fractional viscoelastic model

This paper introduces a microchip-based acoustic force spectroscopy method to measure cell mechanics, finding that endothelial cells exhibit fractional viscoelastic behavior under various conditions.

Global and local tension measurements in biomimetic skeletal muscle tissues reveals early mechanical homeostasis

This study introduces a new chamber design for measuring both global and local tension in 3D muscle tissues, revealing early mechanical homeostasis during development.

Cortical cell stiffness is independent of substrate mechanics

The paper shows that cortical cell stiffness is not affected by substrate mechanics after correcting for substrate deformation during AFM measurements.

Centering based on active diffusion in mouse oocytes is non-specific

The paper investigates nucleus centering in mouse oocytes and finds that an activity gradient induces a general centering force through biased diffusion, which is counteracted by myosin-dependent spindle off-centering.

Actin accumulates nesprin-2 at the front of the nucleus during confined cell migration

The paper shows actin redistributes nesprin-2 giant to the front of the nucleus during migration through narrow constrictions, contributing to nuclear pulling forces.

Actin modulates shape and mechanics of tubular membranes

This study investigates how actin affects the shape and mechanical stability of tubular membranes by observing actin sleeve growth on preformed membrane tubes.