Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Stiffness fluctuations in T cells.

The European physical journal. E, Soft matter·2025

Same author

Spherical Skin Model: Stratified Co-Culture of Fibroblasts and Keratinocytes on Spherical Beads Toward Compound Screening.

Advanced healthcare materials·2025

Same author

Protocol for quantifying coccidian parasite mechanics and rupture force using advanced micromanipulation-based piercing.

STAR protocols·2025

Same author

Redefining tryptase norms in the pediatric population reveals sex-based differences: Clinical implications.

Allergy·2024

Same author

Extracellular Fluid Volume and Mortality after Kidney Transplantation.

Kidney360·2024

Same author

Quantifying both viscoelasticity and surface tension: Why sharp tips overestimate cell stiffness.

Biophysical journal·2023

Same journal

Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2026

Same journal

Modeling Melanoma Immune Surveillance by CAR-T Cells in Human Skin Organoids.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2026

Same journal

Stepwise Optimization of a Matrigel-Based In Vitro Angiogenesis Assay for Reproducible and Quantifiable 2D-Tube Formation Using HUVECs.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2026

Same journal

Quantifying Mechanical Properties of Fresh Ovarian Tissue with Optical Brillouin Microscopy.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2026

Same journal

3D Chromatin Architecture During Early Development: New Methods and New Findings.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2026

Same journal

Metabolic Plasticity in Embryogenesis Throughout the Lens of NAD<sup></sup>.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 15, 2025

Atomic Force Microscopy Cantilever-Based Nanoindentation: Mechanical Property Measurements at the Nanoscale in Air and Fluid

Atomic Force Microscopy Cantilever-Based Nanoindentation: Mechanical Property Measurements at the Nanoscale in Air and Fluid

Published on: December 2, 2022

Measuring Cell Mechanical Properties Using Microindentation.

Julien Husson¹

¹LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France. julien.husson@ladhyx.polytechnique.fr.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|December 31, 2022

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces a novel microindentation technique using a micropipette and microbead to measure cell mechanical properties. This method accurately quantifies cell stiffness and viscosity for both adherent and nonadherent cells.

Keywords:

Cell mechanics Contact mechanics Microindentation Micromanipulations Micropipettes

More Related Videos

Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Living Cells Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Living Cells Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: June 27, 2013

Experimental and Data Analysis Workflow for Soft Matter Nanoindentation

Experimental and Data Analysis Workflow for Soft Matter Nanoindentation

Published on: January 18, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 15, 2025

Atomic Force Microscopy Cantilever-Based Nanoindentation: Mechanical Property Measurements at the Nanoscale in Air and Fluid

Atomic Force Microscopy Cantilever-Based Nanoindentation: Mechanical Property Measurements at the Nanoscale in Air and Fluid

Published on: December 2, 2022

Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Living Cells Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Living Cells Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: June 27, 2013

Experimental and Data Analysis Workflow for Soft Matter Nanoindentation

Experimental and Data Analysis Workflow for Soft Matter Nanoindentation

Published on: January 18, 2022

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Cell Biology
Biomaterials

Background:

Understanding cell mechanical properties is crucial for studying cellular processes.
Key parameters include effective Young's modulus and viscosity.
Traditional methods involve applying forces and measuring deformation.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and validate a novel microindentation technique for quantifying cell mechanical properties.
To enable accurate measurement of cell stiffness and viscosity.
To provide a versatile method applicable to both adherent and nonadherent cells.

Main Methods:

Developed a microindentation system using a flexible micropipette as a calibrated spring.
Incorporated a microbead at the micropipette tip for consistent force application.
Employed a second micropipette for cell manipulation and indentation.
Utilized analytical models to extract mechanical parameters from indentation data.

Main Results:

Successfully quantified cell mechanical properties, including effective Young's modulus and viscosity.
Demonstrated the technique's applicability to both nonadherent and adherent cell types.
The microbead geometry facilitated straightforward application of analytical models.

Conclusions:

The developed micropipette-based microindentation technique offers a precise and adaptable method for cell mechanics analysis.
This technique advances the understanding of cell behavior in physiological and pathological conditions.
It provides a valuable tool for researchers in cell biology and biophysics.