Looking at cell mechanics with atomic force microscopy: experiment and theory.

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Cell Mechanics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Understanding cellular mechanical properties is crucial in biology and medicine.
• Traditional methods offer limited insights into dynamic cellular responses.
• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has emerged as a powerful tool for nanoscale investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the application of AFM in determining cellular mechanical properties.
• To provide a chronological overview of AFM's contributions to cell mechanics research.
• To discuss the utility of AFM in materials physics, biology, and medicine.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on AFM applications in cell mechanics.
• Chronological analysis of phenomenological facts and quantitative results.
• Detailed discussion and comparison of Hertz and JKR contact mechanics models.
• Presentation of a novel implementation of the Dufresne-derived JKR model.

Main Results:

• AFM provides quantitative data on cell surface topography, Young's modulus, and viscosity.
• The technique allows for the measurement of cell relaxation times.
• AFM facilitates the investigation of fundamental questions across physics, biology, and medicine.

Conclusions:

• AFM is a versatile technique for probing the mechanical landscape of cells.
• The review highlights AFM's capability to yield detailed insights into cell biomechanics.
• Understanding the advantages and limitations of models like Hertz and JKR is essential for accurate interpretation of AFM data.