High throughput cell nanomechanics with mechanical imaging interferometry NANOTECHNOLOGY Reed, J., Frank, M., Troke, J. J., Schmit, J., Han, S., Teitell, M. A., Gimzewski, J. K. 2008; 19 (23)

Abstract

The dynamic nanomechanical properties of a large number of cells (up to hundreds), measured in parallel with high throughput, are reported. Using NIH 3T3 and HEK 293T fibroblasts and actin depolymerizing drugs, we use a novel nanotechnology to quantify the local viscoelastic properties with applied forces of 20 pN-20 nN, a spatial resolution of <20 nm, and a mechanical dynamic range of several Pa up to ~200 kPa. Our approach utilizes imaging interferometry in combination with reflective, magnetic probes attached to cells. These results indicate that mechanical imaging interferometry is a sensitive and scalable technology for measuring the nanomechanical properties of large arrays of live cells in fluid.

View details for DOI 10.1088/0957-4484/19/23/235101

View details for Web of Science ID 000255662700001

View details for PubMedID 20737027

View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2925287