Dataset
The cytoplasm of living cells can sustain transient and steady intracellular pressure gradients
20 Mar 2026
Abstract
Understanding how cells change shape dynamically under the influence of external and internal forces requires characterisation of the mechanical response of the cytoplasm, the viscous material that fills their interior. The cytoplasm consists of a porous solid phase bathed in a fluid, the cytosol. As the cytoplasm is incompressible, any cellular shape change necessitates redistribution of the cytosol within the cell and its flow rate sets the time-scale for deformation. How the cytoplasmic mechanical response affects cell physiology remains poorly understood. We show that the unique physical properties of the cytoplasm allow cells to sustain cellular-scale pressure gradients over minute time-scales. As a consequence, pressure-driven mechanisms may play a much greater role in cell physiology than currently appreciated.
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Details
- Title
- The cytoplasm of living cells can sustain transient and steady intracellular pressure gradients
- Creators
- Guillaume Charras - University College LondonMajid MalboubiMohammad Hadi Esteki - University College LondonMalti VaghelaLulu IT KorsakRyan J PetrieEmad Moeendarbary - University College London
- Publisher
- University College London
- Resource Type
- Dataset
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biology
- Other Identifier
- 991022171480104721