Advances in Mechanobiology Research with Organoid Systems

WANG Yi^1,2,3, WU Xueqing^2,3,4, WU Yanmei^2,3,4*, YANG Qiutan^1,2,3,4*

(¹College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; ²Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101 China; ³Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China; ⁴University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

Abstract:

Biomechanical forces at the cellular and tissue levels are essential regulatory factors in development and regeneration. Despite the long history of research in mechanobiology limited technological capabilities have historically hindered a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of this field. Organoid systems, which can simulate cell communication and cell-extracellular matrix interactions during tissue development and regeneration, offer a promising solution. As an in vitro culture system, organoids are well-suited for live imaging, tissue force measurement, and mechanical perturbation experiments. These advantages position organoids as a crucial research model for studying cellular and tissue mechanobiology. This article introduces the mechanisms of tissue mechanical force generation and morphogenesis in various organoid systems, summarizes the influence of the physical properties of the extracellular matrix on organoid growth reviews commonly used tools for tissue and cellular force detection, and discusses the opportunities and challenges in studying mechanobiology through organoid systems.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2025.09.0009