Modified cantilever arrays improve sensitivity and reproducibility of nanomechanical sensing in living cells.

ABSTRACT: Mechanical signaling involved in molecular interactions lies at the heart of materials science and biological systems, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Here we use nanomechanical sensors and intact human cells to provide unique insights into the signaling pathways of connectivity networks, which deliver the ability to probe cells to produce biologically relevant, quantifiable and reproducible signals. We quantify the mechanical signals from malignant cancer cells, with 10 cells per ml in 1000-fold excess of non-neoplastic human epithelial cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that a direct link between cells and molecules creates a continuous connectivity which acts like a percolating network to propagate mechanical forces over both short and long length-scales. The findings pr

SUBMITTER: Patil SB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6200835 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature