High throughput cell nanomechanics with mechanical imaging interferometry 

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. Print publication: Issue 23 (11 June 2008) Received 3 December 2007, in final form 7 February 2008 Published 6 May 2008   [More...] [Less...]