Cell-Matrix Mechanics OpenCourseWare: MIT's Free Graduate Level Course on Biology and Physiology

Published Feb 20, 2009

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In the 'Cell-Matrix Mechanics' OpenCourseWare, graduate students can learn about the biological and physiological processes involved in organ and tissue development. The free graduate course is offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is part of the Health Sciences and Technology Department. MIT graduate students taking this course are usually pursuing an advanced degree in biomedical engineering or medical engineering.

Cell-Matrix Mechanics: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Graduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
Yes Yes No

Cell-Matrix Mechanics: Course Description

The 'Cell-Matrix Mechanics' OpenCourseWare shows graduate students how the mechanical processes of organ and tissue development work after an injury or during normal growth. They can learn about cell function during the development process as well as a cell's reaction to biosynthetic activity. The free physiology course also discusses the relationship between mechanical properties and molecular structures that have an impact on connective tissue. Students can examine the response that tissues and cells produce when affected with mechanical loading. Some of the lecture topics include cell-matrix interactions, measuring cell contraction, bone to mechanical loading responses and tissue structures. Students taking this free course can also study the interrelationships among tissues, cells and endogenous mechanical forces. The on-campus course used the textbook Tissue and Organ Regeneration in Adults by I.V. Yannas. The MIT campus course was taught by Professors Myron Spector and Ioannis Yannas in 2004 as a lecture class with two sessions per week.

This OpenCourseWare includes lecture notes with slides, homework assignments with solutions, reading notes and reading lists. If you are interested in taking this free course, visit the cell-matrix mechanics course page.

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