................................................................................................................................... ii Preface ..................................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents .................................................................................................................... v List of Tables ........................................................................................................................ viii List of Figures ......................................................................................................................... ix Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................ xi Dedication .............................................................................................................................. xii Chapter 1: Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Mechanotransduction ................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Cell adhesion ................................................................................................................ 5 1.2.1 Integrins and the ECM .......................................................................................... 8 1.3 The integrin adhesion complex .................................................................................... 9 1.3.1 Talin .................................................................................................................... 11 1.3.2 Tensin .................................................................................................................. 16 1.3.3 Integrin-linked kinase ......................................................................................... 17 1.4 Integrins as mechanosensors ...................................................................................... 19 1.4.1 Integrin directly responds to force ...................................................................... 19 1.4.2 The integrin adhesion complex is also directly modulated by force .................. 21 1.5 Integrin turnover ........................................................................................................ 23 1.5.1 Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching ...................................................... 23 1.5.2 Integrin adhesion disassembly and recycling ..................................................... 26