柔性膜上培养细胞机械拉伸的计算模型

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• Open access
• Published: 30 October 2026

• Miles W. Massidda¹,
• David Ashirov¹,
• Andrei Demkov¹,
• Aidan Sices¹ &
• …
• Aaron B. Baker^1,2,3,4 

Scientific Reports (2026) Cite this article

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Abstract

In this study, we developed a computational model of a cell being stretched on a flexible membrane, a configuration that matches many in vitro experimental systems studying the effects of mechanical stretch on cultured cells. Using this model, we explored the complex patterns of stresses and strains present in the cell during dynamic stretching. We linked these intracellular stresses to a simple model of chromatin deformation to provide a rough estimate of chromatin reconfiguration resulting from nuclear strain. Together, this multiscale model of cell stretching offers a first-order approximation of cellular strain responses to dynamic substrate deformation. Our simulations identified an optimal range of applied strain that induces chromatin distention without causing cellular damage. This computationally determined optimal strain range aligns with recent experimental findings from our laboratory, where the same strain levels were shown to maximize nuclear localization of Yap/Taz and reduce senescence in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These results provide a computational framework for understanding cellular responses to mechanical stimuli, potentially optimizing experimental designs and advancing the understanding of mechanobiology in stem cell research and tissue engineering applications.

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge funding through the DOD CDMRP (W81XWH-16-1-0580; W81XWH-16-1-0582) and the National Institutes of Health (1R21EB023551-01; 1R21EB024147-01A1; 1R01HL141761-01) to ABB.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station BME 5.202D, C0800, Austin, TX, USA

   Miles W. Massidda, David Ashirov, Andrei Demkov, Aidan Sices & Aaron B. Baker

2. Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

   Aaron B. Baker

3. The Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

   Aaron B. Baker

4. Institute for Biomaterials, Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

   Aaron B. Baker

Authors

1. Miles W. Massidda
2. David Ashirov
3. Andrei Demkov
4. Aidan Sices
5. Aaron B. Baker

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Correspondence to Aaron B. Baker.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Massidda, M.W., Ashirov, D., Demkov, A. et al. A computational model of mechanical stretching of cultured cells on a flexible membrane. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-77434-4

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• Received: 20 January 2026

• Accepted: 20 October 2026

• Published: 30 October 2026

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-77434-4

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