Review: Methods to quantify primary plant cell wall mechanics ( J. Exp. Bot)

Plant growth and morphogenesis are linked to cell wall properties, so a deep understanding of cell wall biochemistry and mechanics is essential for studying plant development. In a recent review, Bidhendi and Geitmann describe current and emerging techniques for the analysis of cell wall mechanics. Classic techniques involve the application of a force (stretching, compression, bending) and measuring the cell response. As an example, one of the most widely used is the indentation technique (the application of a force and the measure of sample deformation), which gives information about the elastic, plastic and viscoelastic properties. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is an indentation technique that has been used for mapping tissue surface topography. Stimulation with acoustic waves (acoustic elastography) can reveal additional information about the physical properties of a biological sample. Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and microfluidic devices are emerging tools for quantifying mechanical properties in living cells. The authors also discuss how the information obtained with the above-mentioned techniques can be combined with computational approaches to build multiscale models. A comprehensive glossary of key terms is provided. (Summary by Humberto Herrara-Ubaldo) J. Exp. Bot. 10.1093/jxb/erz281