Probing tissue mechanics at the cellular-length scale in cancer microenvironments

Abstract Tissues are mechanically complex composite structures in which an organized collection of cells in various configurations interwoven within a complex extracellular matrix maintain mechanical integrity and function. Cellular activity in response to these local mechanical properties can drive considerable changes in the tissues over time. Given the importance of tissue mechanics in maintaining tissue homeostasis and in progressing disease phenotypes, understanding the relationship between the local mechanical microenvironment and cell behavior is therefore crucial to predict tissue health. Specifically, measuring complex mechanics at length scales similar to those of a cell in realistic and living tissues presents considerable challenges. In this chapter, we discuss conventional and emerging techniques to measure tissue mechanics in the cellular microenvironment, with a specific focus on measurements to better understand cancer.