Magnetism for mechanobiology and related biomedical applications

Magnetic particles dispersed among living cells and subjected to a variable magnetic field can exert mechanical stimulation on the cells, inducing physiological responses. Studies have shown that this low- frequency mechanical stimulation (between 2 and 20 Hz) can induce cell death in cancer cells and trigger insulin secretion from pancreatic cells. In the field of neurology, ongoing studies are also focused on the influence of magnetomechanical stimulation against neurodegenerative diseases. A key advantage of this magnetomechanical approach lies in the ability to adjust mechanical stress on cells remotely via the applied magnetic field, producing differentiated effects depending on the cell type. This innovative concept opens promising avenues in mechanobiology and related biomedical applications, particularly for treating diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, and antineurodegeneration.