The influence of physical and physiological cues on atomic force microscopy-based cell stiffness assessment.

ABSTRACT: Atomic force microscopy provides a novel technique for differentiating the mechanical properties of various cell types. Cell elasticity is abundantly used to represent the structural strength of cells in different conditions. In this study, we are interested in whether physical or physiological cues affect cell elasticity in Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based assessments. The physical cues include the geometry of the AFM tips, the indenting force and the operating temperature of the AFM. All of these cues show a significant influence on the cell elasticity assessment. Sharp AFM tips create a two-fold increase in the value of the effective Young's modulus (E(eff)) relative to that of the blunt tips. Higher indenting force at the same loading rate generates higher estimated cell elasticity.

SUBMITTER: Chiou YW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3806741 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature