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Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Magnetic Tweezers for the Measurement of Twist and Torque
Published on: May 19, 2014
Forced- and Self-Rotation of Magnetic Nanorods Assembly at the Cell Membrane: A Biomagnetic Torsion Pendulum
François Mazuel1, Samuel Mathieu1, Riccardo Di Corato1,2
1Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes (MSC), UMR 7057, CNRS and Université Paris Diderot, Paris Cedex 05, 75205, France.
Abstract:
In order to provide insight into how anisotropic nano-objects interact with living cell membranes, and possibly self-assemble, magnetic nanorods with an average size of around 100 nm × 1 µm are designed by assembling iron oxide nanocubes within a polymeric matrix under a magnetic field. The nano-bio interface at the cell membrane under the influence of a rotating magnetic field is then explored. A complex structuration of the nanorods intertwined with the membranes is observed. Unexpectedly, after a magnetic rotating stimulation, the resulting macrorods are able to rotate freely for multiple rotations, revealing the creation of a biomagnetic torsion pendulum.
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