Connective tissues in health and disease. The Aberdeen experience.

Connective tissues have primarily a mechanical function within the body. How each tissue derives its mechanical properties from its composition and structure and how these properties are maintained by the cells are still poorly understood. Some principles that may provide a unifying basis for the material properties of these tissues as materials is described. Given this understanding current studies in Aberdeen are investigating the ways in which cells may regulate these properties in response to mechanical stimuli.