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Ultraflexible Nanowire Array for Label- and Distortion-Free Cellular Force Tracking
P Paulitschke1, F Keber1, A Lebedev1
1Center for NanoScience & Faculty of Physics , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München , Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1 , 80539 München , Germany.
Nano Letters
|November 15, 2018
Summary
We developed a novel nanowire array biosensor to measure cell forces with high precision. This technology offers label-free, distortion-free cellular force transduction for deeper insights into cell mechanics.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cellular Mechanics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Living cells exert mechanical forces on their environment, regulating crucial cellular functions.
- Understanding these forces provides insights into the physics of life.
- Existing cellular force sensing methods face limitations like optical distortions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel nanostructured, ultraflexible nanowire array biosensor for probing cell-induced forces.
- To enhance the functionality and sensitivity of cellular force sensing devices.
- To achieve high-resolution, label-free detection of cellular forces.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a top-down nanostructured, ultraflexible nanowire array biosensor using inverted conical semiconductor nanowires.
- Separation of microscopy on nanowire heads from cell confinement within the array to prevent optical distortions.
- Conversion of undistorted nanowire displacements into cellular forces using the nanowire spring constant.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a distortion-free cellular force transducer with high resolution.
- Achieved label-free sensing of cell-induced forces using optical microscopy.
- Probed cell-induced forces with a resolution of 50 piconewtons (pN) in a study with migrating Dictyostelium discoideum cells.
- Showcased potential for force resolution in the 100 femtonewton (fN) range with highly flexible nanowires.
Conclusions:
- The developed nanowire array biosensor enables precise measurement of cellular forces.
- This technology offers a significant advancement in label-free, high-resolution biophysical sensing.
- The findings open new avenues for studying cell mechanics and the physics of life.
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