Versatile horizontal force probe for mechanical tests on pipette-held cells, particles, and membrane capsules

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Nanotechnology
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• Precise measurement of forces at the nanoscale is crucial for understanding biological processes.
• Existing methods often face limitations in sample manipulation and force application direction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a versatile nanomechanical force probe for horizontal force measurements.
• To enable the mechanical interrogation of individual cells, particles, and capsules with high precision.

Main Methods:

• Integration of a sideways-mounted elastic cantilever with an optical-lever detection module.
• Automated micropipette manipulation for precise positioning and translation of test objects.
• Perpendicular translation of pipette-held objects relative to the cantilever.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated capability to apply and measure compression, stretching, adhesion, and dissociation forces horizontally.
• Successful mechanical interrogation of single cells, membrane capsules, and synthetic particles.
• Reduced hydrodynamic coupling effects and expanded force measurement range by utilizing the full cantilever length.

Conclusions:

• The developed nanomechanical force probe offers a versatile and precise platform for mechanical studies.
• The instrument facilitates novel experiments, including single-cell compression and lipid extraction.
• This technology advances the field of nanoscale mechanical characterization for biological and material science applications.