scholarly journals 3D mechanical characterization of single cells and small organisms using acoustic manipulation and force microscopy

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nino F. Läubli ◽  
Jan T. Burri ◽  
Julian Marquard ◽  
Hannes Vogler ◽  
Gabriella Mosca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Lilium Longiflorum ◽  
Force Sensor ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Apparent Stiffness ◽  
Micromechanical Characterization

AbstractQuantitative micromechanical characterization of single cells and multicellular tissues or organisms is of fundamental importance to the study of cellular growth, morphogenesis, and cell-cell interactions. However, due to limited manipulation capabilities at the microscale, systems used for mechanical characterizations struggle to provide complete three-dimensional coverage of individual specimens. Here, we combine an acoustically driven manipulation device with a micro-force sensor to freely rotate biological samples and quantify mechanical properties at multiple regions of interest within a specimen. The versatility of this tool is demonstrated through the analysis of single Lilium longiflorum pollen grains, in combination with numerical simulations, and individual Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes. It reveals local variations in apparent stiffness for single specimens, providing previously inaccessible information and datasets on mechanical properties that serve as the basis for biophysical modelling and allow deeper insights into the biomechanics of these living systems.

scholarly journals An acoustic platform for single-cell, high-throughput measurements of the viscoelastic properties of cells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentin Romanov ◽  
Giulia Silvani ◽  
Huiyu Zhu ◽  
Charles D Cox ◽  
Boris Martinac
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Adherent Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Membrane Cytoskeleton ◽  
Change Temperature

ABSTRACTCellular processes including adhesion, migration and differentiation are governed by the distinct mechanical properties of each cell. Importantly, the mechanical properties of individual cells can vary depending on local physical and biochemical cues in a time-dependent manner resulting in significant inter-cell heterogeneity. While several different methods have been developed to interrogate the mechanical properties of single cells, throughput to capture this heterogeneity remains an issue. While new high-throughput techniques are slowly emerging, they are primarily aimed at characterizing cells in suspension, whereas high-throughput measurements of adherent cells have proven to be more challenging. Here, we demonstrate single-cell, high-throughput characterization of adherent cells using acoustic force spectroscopy. We demonstrate that cells undergo marked changes in viscoelasticity as a function of temperature, the measurements of which are facilitated by a closed microfluidic culturing environment that can rapidly change temperature between 21 °C and 37 °C. In addition, we show quantitative differences in cells exposed to different pharmacological treatments specifically targeting the membrane-cytoskeleton interface. Further, we utilize the high-throughput format of the AFS to rapidly probe, in excess of 1000 cells, three different cell-lines expressing different levels of a mechanosensitive protein, Piezo1, demonstrating the ability to differentiate between cells based on protein expression levels.

Characterization of the Naked Mole Rat Incisors: Chemical Composition, Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Hongyan Qi ◽  
Guixiong Gao ◽  
Huixin Wang ◽  
Yunhai Ma ◽  
Hubiao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Lamellar Structure ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Microstructure And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Inorganic Matter ◽  
Mole Rat ◽  
Naked Mole Rat ◽  
Reticular Structure

The naked mole rat incisors (NMRI) exhibit excellent mechanical properties, which makes it a good prototype for design and fabrication of bionic mechanical systems and materials. In this work, we characterized the chemical composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of NMRI, and further compared these properties with the laboratory rat incisors (LRI). We found that (1) Enamel and dentin are composed of organic matter, inorganic matter and water. The ratio of Ca/P in NMRI enamel is higher than that of LRI enamel. (2) The dentin has a porous structure. The enamel has a three-dimensional reticular structure, which is more complex, regular and denser than the lamellar structure of LRI enamel. (3) Enamel has anisotropy. Its longitudinal nano-hardness is greater than that of transverse nano-hardness, and both of them are higher than that of LRI enamel. Their nano-hardness and elastic modulus increase with the increment of distance from the enamel-dentin boundary. The nano-hardness of dentin is smaller than that of enamel. The chemical composition and microstructure are considered to be the reasons for the excellent properties of NMRI. The chemical composition and unique microstructure can provide inspiration and guidelines for the design of bionic machinery and materials.

Dynamic Characterization of Single Cells Based on Temporal Cellular Mechanical Properties

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Shuang Ma ◽  
Xiaofang Zhang ◽  
Dan Dang ◽  
Wenxue Wang ◽  
Yuechao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Dynamic Characterization

Characterization of interconnectivity of gelatin methacrylate hydrogels using photoacoustic imaging

Lab on a Chip ◽  
2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenxiu Zhao ◽  
Haibo Yu ◽  
Zhixing Ge ◽  
Xiaoduo Wang ◽  
Yuzhao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Photoacoustic Imaging ◽  
Three Dimensional

Hydrogels can provide a three-dimensional microenvironment for cells and thus serve as an extracellular matrix in a biofabrication process. The properties of hydrogels, such as their porosity and mechanical properties,...

Fabrication and Characterization of Porous TiB2 Ceramic with Three-Dimensional Interconnected Skeleton

2007 ◽  
Vol 336-338 ◽  
pp. 1076-1079
Author(s):  
Chang Qing Hong ◽  
Jie Cai Han ◽  
Xing Hong Zhang ◽  
He Xin Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Bending Strength ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Pressureless Sintering ◽  
Neck Growth ◽  
Selective Heating ◽  
Fabrication And Characterization ◽  
Tib2 Particles

Porous TiB2 ceramics with a three-dimensional interconnected skeleton were fabricated by high temperature pressureless sintering from fine TiB2 powders. The microstructure of the porous TiB2 ceramic was characterized by the enhanced neck growth between the initially touching particles. This neck growth was ascribed to the selective heating of TiB2 particles with different dimension. The porous structure prepared by the high-temperature sintering exhibited higher bending strength and fracture toughness in the present experiment. The improved mechanical properties of the sintered composites were attributable to the enhanced neck growth by surface diffusion.

Micro-Electro-Mechanical System for Measuring Mechanical Properties of Cell Aggregates

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 (DPC) ◽  
pp. 001701-001720
Author(s):  
Negar Moghimi ◽  
Sabrina Jedlicka ◽  
Svetlana Tatic-Lucic
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Mechanical System ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Micro Electro Mechanical System ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Stable Range ◽  
Cell Aggregates ◽  
Cell Aggregate ◽  
Fea Modeling

This paper presents design and finite element analysis (FEA) modeling of a novel micro-electro-mechanical system for determining mechanical properties of cell aggregates. The main components of this system are the electrostatic actuator array for applying force onto the cell aggregate and piezoresistive sensor for measuring it. A novel actuator array that allows for a set of five predefined displacements up to 100 μm was designed and modeled. FEA modeling of the components was performed to optimize the design and performance. While the device described is specifically designed for on-chip mechanical characterization of cell aggregates in vitro, it could also be translated to other applications. Application of MEMS in biomedical devices has expanded vastly over the last few decades. MEMS devices have been developed to measure different characteristics of cells. The study of cell biomechanics is of growing importance in biology and medical science, as mechanical properties of cells can be related to the cause, progress and cure of certain diseases [1]. The key motivation is to develop systems for controlled mechanical stimulation and characterization of cells. Previously we have developed BioMEM device for measuring mechanical characteristics of single cells [2]. Our new study is focused on a novel method to measure biomechanical properties of cell aggregates, which are commonly used in stem cell culture. The biomechanical measurement of cell aggregates could elucidate how cellular aggregates change with age, differentiation, and other cellular processes or states [3, 4]; which could further inform decisions regarding future use of the cells of interest. The actuation in this work is done by comb drive actuators [5] because of a relatively large displacement and independency of the electrostatic force from displacement. The springs need to be properly designed to achieve the maximum range of stable displacement. Folded flexure spring design combined with initially bent beams was used in our design because of great compliance in lateral direction, larger linear deflection range, lower side instability and minimal area usage [6, 7]. Coupled electromechanical modeling was performed to verify the actuator design. The actuator array consists of a central shuttle and five pairs of comb drives each provide different displacements ranging from 52 μm to 100 μm which correspond to 5 % to 25 % deformation of the targeted cell aggregate. Custom-designed springs that will support the central actuator shuttle and allow for the large displacements were designed and the ratio of shuttle stiffness in perpendicular direction to actuation direction was maximized in order to increase the stable range of shuttle forward movement. FEA of sensor part was also done to maximize the sensor sensitivity by modeling different designs with varied design parameters. This paper presents design of a novel MEMS actuator and sensor system. FEA modeling and optimization of device components was performed and the device is currently being fabricated.

On the Micromechanical Characterization of Metallic MEMS by a Hybrid Microtester

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Wardlow ◽  
Seyed Allameh
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Microelectromechanical Systems ◽  
Local Deformation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Large Displacements ◽  
Mems Devices ◽  
Surface Flaws ◽  
Micromechanical Characterization ◽  
Position Monitoring

Mechanical testing of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) components helps investigate the reliability of MEMS devices used especially in vital applications such as life-supporting, medical, aerospace or automotive technologies. This paper discusses the development and use of a hybrid micromechanical system that combines the advantages of a macroscale slow-action screw-driven stage producing large displacements with a small-scale fast-action piezo-driven actuator. The main advantage is to study mechanical properties of small structures such as thick and thin films developing cracks that travel on millimeter scale during fatigue. The combination of piezo position monitoring with image-recognition-based local deformation determination allows specification of the beginning of phenomena such as micro-void-induced softening with relative accuracy. Such studies are most useful for investigation of the onset of nucleation of microcracks from fatigue-induced surface flaws. The significance of finding the onset of crack propagation lies in the fact that crack initiation constitutes the major portion of fatigue life for small structures (occasionally up to 99.3%).

scholarly journals Trends in the Characterization of the Proximal Humerus in Biomechanical Studies: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (18) ◽  
pp. 6514
Author(s):  
Angel D. Castro-Franco ◽  
Ismael Mendoza-Muñoz ◽  
Álvaro González-Ángeles ◽  
Samantha E. Cruz-Sotelo ◽  
Ana Maria Castañeda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Proximal Humerus ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Bone Modeling ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Treatment Scenario ◽  
Time Requirements ◽  
Humerus Fractures ◽  
Mesh Properties

Proximal humerus fractures are becoming more common due to the aging of the population, and more related scientific research is also emerging. Biomechanical studies attempt to optimize treatments, taking into consideration the factors involved, to obtain the best possible treatment scenario. To achieve this, the use of finite element analysis (FEA) is necessary, to experiment with situations that are difficult to replicate, and which are sometimes unethical. Furthermore, low costs and time requirements make FEA the perfect choice for biomechanical studies. Part of the complete process of an FEA involves three-dimensional (3D) bone modeling, mechanical properties assignment, and meshing the bone model to be analyzed. Due to the lack of standardization for bone modeling, properties assignment, and the meshing processes, this article aims to review the most widely used techniques to model the proximal humerus bone, according to its anatomy, for FEA. This study also seeks to understand the knowledge and bias behind mechanical properties assignment for bone, and the similarities/differences in mesh properties used in previous FEA studies of the proximal humerus. The best ways to achieve these processes, according to the evidence, will be analyzed and discussed, seeking to obtain the most accurate results for FEA simulations.

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