A new book chapter of the role of the actin cytoskeleton in mechanosensation

We wrote a book chapter about the role of the actin cytoskeleton in mechanosensation. The book title is Mechanosensitivity and Mechanotransduction, edited by A, Kamkin and I. Kiseleva and published by Springer-Verlag, New York.". 

In this chapter, we try to integrate mechanics, materials science, biophysics and biology together to give a most updated view of this field. We also want to introduce the feedback loop concept to mechanicians who are interested in studying biological systems.

I attached the pdf version and the follwoing is the subtitles of the chapter. 

Chapter 1 The Role of the Actin Cytoskeleton in Mechanosensation

Tianzhi Luo and Douglas N. Robinson

1.1. Introduction

1.2.  Microstructures and deformations of the actin cytoskeleton
    1.2.1 Intermolecular and intramolecular deformations
        1.2.1.1 Force generation associated with actin polymerization
        1.2.1.2 Force-dependent behaviors of actin-myosin binding
        1.2.1.3 Force-dependent binding between actin crosslinkers and actin filaments
        1.2.1.4 Force-dependent intramolecular deformation of ACLPs
    1.2.2 Mechanical properties of an actin network
        1.2.2.1 Mechanical properties of pure actin gels
        1.2.2.2 Effects of crosslinking proteins on the microstructures and mechanical properties of pure actin networks
        1.2.2.3 Effects of myosin II on the mechanical properties of the actin network
        1.2.3 In vivo measurements of cell mechanics
1.3. Functions of the actin cytoskeleton in mechanosensation
    1.3.1 Mechanosensing through myosin II and actin crosslinking proteins
        1.3.1.1 How force might modulate myosin II bipolar thick filament assembly
        1.3.1.2  Cooperativity between myosin II and cortexillin
    1.3.2 Mechanosensation through focal adhesion complexes
    1.3.3 The actin cytoskeleton works as a force-transmission highway
1.4. Remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton during mechanosensation
    1.4.1 How mechanically activated kinases regulate the actin cytoskeleton
    1.4.2 Crosstalk between microtubules and actin cytoskeleton
1.5. Experimental techniques for measuring mechanosensation-- in vitro and in vivo methods
1.6. Conclusion and perspectives