Cell shape is determined by a balance of intrinsic properties of the cell as well as its mechanochemical environment. Inhomogeneous shape changes underlie many morphogenetic events and involve spatial gradients in active cellular forces induced by complex chemical signaling. Here, we introduce a mechanochemical model based on the notion that cell shape changes may be induced by external diffusi...

Structural bioinformatics and van der Waals density functional theory are combined to investigate the mechanochemical impact of a major class of histone-DNA interactions, namely, the formation of salt bridges between arginine residues in histones and phosphate groups on the DNA backbone. Principal component analysis reveals that the configurational fluctuations of the sugar-phosphate backbone d...

The motor domain of myosin is the core element performing mechanochemical energy transduction. This domain contains the actin and ATP binding sites and the base of the force-transducing lever. Coordinated subdomain movements within the motor are essential in linking the ATPase chemical cycle to translocation along actin filaments. A dynamic subdomain interface located at the base of the lever w...

Activating raw, zero-valent metals is an essential capability for chemical processes, which include synthesis and catalysis. In recent years there has been the discovery growing intensity in use of mechanical action, through utility ball mills, to facilitate activation metals. The complexity synthetic reaction systems these processing techniques can be used now reached a tipping-point, with, am...

Circulating neutrophils must avoid premature activation to prevent tissue injury. The leukocyte adhesion receptor L-selectin forms bonds with P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) on other leukocytes and with peripheral node addressin (PNAd) on high endothelial venules. Mechanical forces can strengthen (catch) or weaken (slip) bonds between biological molecules. How these mechanochemical pr...

The accumulation and disposal of polymer wastes including waste plastics, waste rubber, waste synthetic fibers and waste composites is a worldwide concern. Until now, there are many technical barriers in recycling polymer wastes with crosslinked structure, such as vulcanized rubber, crosslinked polyolefine and other thermoset materials. In this study, a mechanochemical approach was used to cond...

We propose a complex sealing compound for increasing the efficiency of shutoff operations based on natural materials processing such as sand, peat, rice, and husks. studied influence mechanical activation processes rheological properties developed sealants. Through mechanochemical activation, sand dissolution in low-concentrated alkali solution was possible, gelling resulting sodium silicate wh...