1SCA-02 Examining the cell division machinery by using the cantilever system(1SCA Beyond Biophysics!: Up-and-coming biophysical science achieved by physical, chemical and micromechanical control of a cell-sized space,Symposium,The 52nd Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society of Japan(BSJ2014))

It has been demonstrated that the mechanical force produced inside and outside a cell plays an important role in cellular functions during the development and growth. Mitotic cells have to adapt to a variety of mechanical forces originating from cell-cell interactions or environmental fluctuations, in order to carry out the cell division properly. However, it is not known how the externally applied force affects the mechano-chemical processes in cell division. To directly address this issue, we have examined the effects of the external mechanical perturbations, which directly modulate the force balance in the mitotic cells, using a micro-fabricated cantilever system. Here we discuss the current progress in the biophysical research on the cell division machinery.