Mechanics play a larger role in blood vessel formation and other developmental biology than previously thought. Cells appear to respond to mechanical signals, such as pressure. Through the extracellular matrix, a network of fibrous proteins, cells can supposedly exchange those mechanical signals over long distances. To better understand how cells and matrix influence each other, researchers from the Leiden Mathematical Institute (MI) and the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) have developed a simulation model.
Click here for original story, Researchers show cells communicate by pulling on a fiber network
Source: Phys.org