http://www.springerlink.com – Mechanotransduction, the conversion of a mechanical stimulus into a cellular response, plays a fundamental role in cell volume regulation, fertilization, gravitaxis, proprioception, and the senses of hearing, touch, and balance. Mechanotransduction also fills important functions in the myocardium, where each cycle of contraction and relaxation leads to dynamic deformations. Since the initial observation of stretch induced muscle growth, our understanding of this complex field has been steadily growing, but remains incomplete. Read more »