Cell force measurements in 3D microfabricated environments based on compliant cantilevers.

Marelli, Mattia; Gadhari, Neha; Boero, Giovanni; Chiquet, Matthias; Brugger, Jürgen (2014). Cell force measurements in 3D microfabricated environments based on compliant cantilevers. Lab on a chip, 14(2), pp. 286-293. Royal Society of Chemistry 10.1039/c3lc51021b

Text c3lc51021b.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (6MB) | Request a copy

We report the fabrication, functionalization and testing of microdevices for cell culture and cell traction force measurements in three-dimensions (3D). The devices are composed of bent cantilevers patterned with cell-adhesive spots not lying on the same plane, and thus suspending cells in 3D. The cantilevers are soft enough to undergo micrometric deflections when cells pull on them, allowing cell forces to be measured by means of optical microscopy. Since individual cantilevers are mechanically independent of each other, cell traction forces are determined directly from cantilever deflections. This proves the potential of these new devices as a tool for the quantification of cell mechanics in a system with well-defined 3D geometry and mechanical properties.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

2 since deposited on 21 Nov 2014
0 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item