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Upconverting microgauges reveal intraluminal force dynamics in vivo
Jason R Casar1, Claire A McLellan1, Cindy Shi1
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford CA, 94305, USA.
Arxiv
|November 24, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed ingestible optical microgauges to measure forces within luminal organs. These sensors quantify feeding forces in Caenorhabditis elegans, revealing bite forces around 10 μN aligned with muscle activity.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Physiology
Background:
- Muscle action potentials drive luminal transport, but studying forces non-invasively is challenging.
- Existing mechanosensitive tools often require invasive procedures, limiting luminal studies.
- Quantitative analysis of luminal forces is crucial for understanding physiological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop non-toxic, ingestible mechanosensors for quantitative study of luminal forces.
- To apply these sensors to investigate feeding mechanics in Caenorhabditis elegans.
- To enable new research into neuromuscular stresses in luminal organs.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of optical microgauges using upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) in polystyrene microspheres.
- In vitro characterization of microgauge force-response using optical and atomic force microscopy.
- In vivo application in Caenorhabditis elegans using fluorescence imaging and electrophysiology.
Main Results:
- Microgauges exhibit a linear, hysteresis-free optical response to applied force.
- Adult C. elegans generate feeding bite forces of approximately 10 μN.
- Force generation patterns correlate with feeding organ muscle activity and bacterial food lysis pressures.
Conclusions:
- Ingestible microgauges provide a novel, non-invasive method for quantifying luminal forces.
- This technology enables detailed study of feeding biomechanics in C. elegans.
- Microgauges offer potential for investigating neuromuscular stress in luminal organs under various conditions.
