Mechanoceuticals: Molecules as Therapeutic Machine

Description:

In this session a brand new class of therapeutic agent, “Mechanoceuticals”, will be discussed and applications described. As background, drugs form the bedrock of medical therapy. Classically drugs target biochemical receptors and pathways in cells and tissues to enhance or block specific biochemical mediator effects. More recently science has revealed that physical forces too, i.e. pressure, friction (slip or shear), or sound, effect cells or tissues as well; and the mechanical properties of tissues (e.g. stiffness) dictate the interaction of these forces with tissues and their subsequent health or disease effects. Despite this, NO therapeutic agents exist which target and alter tissue mechanical properties – until now! – with the development of Mechanoceuticals.