In a recent review published in Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, Claudia Muñoz Villaescusa, Diana van der Ven, Miguel A. Quetzeri-Santiago, and David Fernández Rivas present a strategic overview of experimental techniques used to measure the mechanical properties of soft biological tissues. Read the full review here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2026.115792.

Understanding how soft tissues respond to mechanical forces is essential for designing emerging drug delivery technologies such as microneedles, jet injectors, and ultrasound-based therapies. However, characterising the mechanics of complex biological tissues like skin and the eye remains challenging due to their layered structure and time-dependent behaviour.

The review compares optical, acoustic, and contact-based measurement methods, highlighting their spatial resolution, measurement speed, and level of invasiveness. By mapping the strengths and limitations of each technique, the work provides a practical guide to help researchers select suitable approaches for biomedical and tissue engineering applications.