Cells convert mechanical forces into biochemical signals through mechanotransduction, a process which can now be synthetically engineered. In this Review, we examine engineered artificial mechanotrans...

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 13 October 2025; doi:10.1038/s44222-025-00366-7Cells convert mechanical forces into biochemical signals through mechanotransduction, a process which can now be synthetically engineered. In this Review, we examine engineered artificial mechanotransduction mechanisms, from gene circuits responsive to mechanical cues to synthetic force-generating systems that reshape tissue behaviour and cellular function.

Lakemeyer and colleagues analyze the secretome of gut bacteria to identify factors that target host PAR2. They find that the Bacteroides fragilis protease Bfp1 cleaves and activates PAR2, disrupting i...

The development of soluble Notch agonists is a challenge because of the mechanical forces needed to activate Notch receptors. Here, bispecific Notch agonist proteins were designed that ‘pull’ on and activate Notch receptors in the presence of desired biomarkers.

An approach combining bioorthogonal chemistry with genetically encoded fluorogen-activating proteins enables subcellular imaging of phospholipids and glycans, as well as the visualization of lipid tra...

Tools to induce the formation of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) via small molecules are essential for investigating and engineering biological systems. Here we introduce a protease-based strategy...

Read an exclusive interview with Prof. Ngo covering his research, his history with the journal, and advice to early career researchers.

Chai et al. use cryo-electron microscopy to systematically interrogate the conformational landscape of motor protein dynein. The reported structures reveal intermediate states in the mechanochemical c...