Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

A Direct Force Probe for Measuring Mechanical Integration Between the Nucleus and the Cytoskeleton
Published on: July 29, 2018
Physical properties of the nucleus studied by micropipette aspiration
1Department of Physics/Division of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University, Engineering Sciences Laboratory, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Abstract:
Understanding the physical properties of the cell nucleus is critical for developing a deeper understanding of nuclear structure and organization as well as how mechanical forces induce changes in gene expression. We use micropipette aspiration to induce large, local deformations in the nucleus, and microscopy to image nuclear shape as well as the response of fluorescently labeled components in the inner nucleus (chromatin and nucleoli) and the nuclear envelope (lamins and membranes). By monitoring the response of nuclear structures to these deformations, we gain insights into the material properties of the nucleus. Here we describe the experimental protocols for micropipette aspiration of nuclei in living cells as well as isolated nuclei. In addition to confocal imaging, deformed nuclei can be imaged by brightfield or epifluorescence microscopy.
More Related Videos
14:53In Situ Detection and Single Cell Quantification of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Using Nuclear Microprobe Analysis
Published on: February 3, 2018
16:27Biophysical Assays to Probe the Mechanical Properties of the Interphase Cell Nucleus: Substrate Strain Application and Microneedle Manipulation
Published on: September 14, 2011
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin
Atomic nuclei have a net nuclear spin, , which can have an integer or half-integer value. In atomic nuclei, the spins of protons are paired against each other but not with neutrons, and vice versa. Consequently, an even number of protons does not contribute to...
Other Nuclides: 31P, 19F, 15N NMR
While fluorine-19 and phosphorous-31 have high natural abundances (100%) and positive gyromagnetic ratios, nitrogen-15 has a low natural abundance and a negative gyromagnetic ratio. However, nitrogen-15 is still preferred over nitrogen-14 (which has a high...
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Overview
Insensitive Nuclei Enhanced by Polarization Transfer (INEPT)