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Updated: Aug 23, 2025
A Microfluidic Technique to Probe Cell Deformability
Published on: September 3, 2014
How sticky? How tight? How hot? Imaging probes for fluid viscosity, membrane tension and temperature measurements at
Matthew Pittman1, Abdulla M Ali2, Yun Chen1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, MD, USA; Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University, MD, USA; Institute for NanoBio Technology, Johns Hopkins University, MD, USA.
Abstract:
We review the progress made in imaging probes for three important physical parameters: viscosity, membrane tension, and temperature, all of which play important roles in many cellular processes. Recent evidences showed that cell migration speed can be modulated by extracellular fluid viscosity; membrane tension contributes to the regulation of cell motility, exo-/endo-cytosis, and cell spread area; and temperature affects neural activity and adipocyte differentiation. We discuss the techniques implementing imaging-based probes to measure viscosity, membrane tension, and temperature at subcellular resolution dynamically. The merits and shortcomings of each technique are examined, and the future applications of the recently developed techniques are also explored.
