A one-step procedure to probe the viscoelastic properties of cells by Atomic Force Microscopy.

ABSTRACT: The increasingly recognised importance of viscoelastic properties of cells in pathological conditions requires rapid development of advanced cell microrheology technologies. Here, we present a novel Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)-microrheology (AFM²) method for measuring the viscoelastic properties in living cells, over a wide range of continuous frequencies (0.005 Hz ~ 200 Hz), from a simple stress-relaxation nanoindentation. Experimental data were directly analysed without the need for pre-conceived viscoelastic models. We show the method had an excellent agreement with conventional oscillatory bulk-rheology measurements in gels, opening a new avenue for viscoelastic characterisation of soft matter using minute quantity of materials (or cells). Using this capability, we investi

SUBMITTER: Chim YH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6160452 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature