Measuring the elastic modulus of soft culture surfaces and three-dimensional hydrogels using atomic force microscopy.

ABSTRACT: Growing interest in exploring mechanically mediated biological phenomena has resulted in cell culture substrates and 3D matrices with variable stiffnesses becoming standard tools in biology labs. However, correlating stiffness with biological outcomes and comparing results between research groups is hampered by variability in the methods used to determine Young's (elastic) modulus, E, and by the inaccessibility of relevant mechanical engineering protocols to most biology labs. Here, we describe a protocol for measuring E of soft 2D surfaces and 3D hydrogels using atomic force microscopy (AFM) force spectroscopy. We provide instructions for preparing hydrogels with and without encapsulated live cells, and provide a method for mounting samples within the AFM. We also provide details on how t

SUBMITTER: Norman MDA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7615740 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature