Microhand Platform Equipped with Plate-Shaped End-Effectors Enables Precise Probing of Intracellular Structure Contribution to Whole-Cell Mechanical Properties.

ABSTRACT: Cellular mechanical properties are critical indicators of cellular state and promising disease biomarkers. This study introduces a novel microhand system, featuring chopstick-like plate-shaped end-effectors, designed for stable and high-precision single-cell mechanical characterization. First, we automated the force sensor calibration to overcome the inefficiency and unreliability of conventional manual methods. To validate the system's sensitivity, we precisely quantified the mechanical contributions of subcellular components, such as the actin cytoskeleton and chromatin, by measuring stiffness reductions after treatment with Cytochalasin D and Trichostatin A, respectively. Notably, when applied to a cellular model of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, we successfully captured disease-

SUBMITTER: Kawakami M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12654860 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature