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Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Combining Microfluidics and Microrheology to Determine Rheological Properties of Soft Matter during Repeated Phase Transitions
Published on: April 19, 2018
Scanning probe microscopy for rheological analysis of biomolecular condensates
Aida Naghilou1, Alireza Mashaghi2
1Medical Systems Biophysics and Bioengineering, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Faculty of Science, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands; Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Medical Innovations, Centre for Interdisciplinary Genome Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands; Research Laboratory of the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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Biomolecular condensates are membrane-less phase-separated assemblies that play key roles in cellular organization. Here, we present a protocol to characterize the full range of rheological properties of condensate droplets, from liquid to solid states, using scanning probe microscopy. We describe steps for preparing condensates, cantilever calibration, and condensate measurement. We then detail analysis procedures required to derive the complex shear modulus. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Naghilou et al.1.
