Force microscopy of the Caenorhabditis elegans embryonic eggshell.

ABSTRACT: Assays focusing on emerging biological phenomena in an animal's life can be performed during embryogenesis. While the embryo of Caenorhabditis elegans has been extensively studied, its biomechanical properties are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that cellular force microscopy (CFM), a recently developed technique that combines micro-indentation with high resolution force sensing approaching that of atomic force microscopy, can be successfully applied to C. elegans embryos. We performed, for the first time, a quantitative study of the mechanical properties of the eggshell of living C. elegans embryos and demonstrate the capability of the system to detect alterations of its mechanical parameters and shell defects upon chemical treatments. In addition to investigati

SUBMITTER: Krenger R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7196560 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature