Mechanical Aspects in the Cells Detachment

Abstract

Living cells possess properties that enable them to withstand the physiological environment as well as mechanical stimuli occurring within and outside the body. Any deviation from these properties will undermine the physical integrity of the cells as well as their biological functions. Thus, a quantitative study in single cell mechanics needs to be conducted. In this paper we will examine fluid flow and Neo-Hookean hyperelastic deformation. The study of these problems requires quantitative information regarding the interaction between blood flow and human cell deformation under realistic physiological conditions. For our aims, a Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis package has been exploited: the cellular level model consists of a continuum representation of the field equations and a moving boundary tracking capability to allow the cell to change its shape continuously. © 2009 International Federation of Medical and Biological Engineering.