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A Microfluidic Technique to Probe Cell Deformability
Published on: September 3, 2014
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Numerical Simulation of Real-Time Deformability Cytometry To Extract Cell Mechanical Properties
M Mokbel1, D Mokbel1,2, A Mietke3,4
1Institute of Scientific Computing, TU Dresden, Zellescher Weg 12-14, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|January 9, 2021
Summary
This study introduces a numerical model to precisely measure cell stiffness using real-time deformability cytometry (RT-DC). The model accurately quantifies cell mechanical properties, even for highly deformed cells, advancing biological and medical research.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Mechanics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cell stiffness measurement is crucial in biology, biotechnology, and medicine.
- Real-time deformability cytometry (RT-DC) offers high-throughput cell mechanical phenotyping.
- Existing models have limitations in quantifying cell stiffness for large deformations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a comprehensive numerical model for single cells in a flow channel.
- To quantitatively link cell deformation to mechanical parameters.
- To enable accurate cell stiffness extraction for largely deformed cells.
Main Methods:
- Modeling cells as viscoelastic materials with a cortical shell.
- Subjecting the model to bending stiffness and cortical surface tension.
- Incorporating linear elasticity and neo-Hookean hyperelasticity.
Main Results:
- The model shows good agreement with analytical models for small deformations.
- It accurately quantifies cell stiffness across a wide range of deformations.
- A novel deformation measure distinguishes between cortical and bulk elasticity effects.
Conclusions:
- The numerical model provides a robust method for cell stiffness measurement using RT-DC.
- It allows for the simultaneous quantification of multiple cell mechanical parameters.
- This approach enhances the application of RT-DC in biological and medical fields.
